For a limited period, PURE is offering free upgrades to UK customers, unlocking DAB+ reception on compatible radios. A computer with a USB port will be required to perform the upgrade. Check compatability on the PURE website.

wohnortchoiceeyeTV T2DVB-T2 & HEVC reception(* now available on more Macs/PCs)

The latest release of Geniatech's eyeTV 3 software reduces the minimum system requirement necessary for H.265 (HEVC) on the new eyeTV T2 and eyeTV Hybrid USB sticks. eyeTV 3.6.9 HEVC (Version 7512) now requires Intel Core i5 running at at least 2.5 Ghz and a minimum of 4GB available RAM, compared with 3.5 GHz and 8Gb RAM in the previous build (7511). Both sticks are now available on both the UK and German versions of Amazon and both sticks would already receive the UK version of DVB-T2 under the previous release. HD in the UK uses the video codec H.264. In Germany, H.265 (HEVC) will be used, for which the stick has been, in the words of the manufacturer, "prepared". Wohnort notes that this latest release brings HEVC reception within the capability of the roving Wohnort MacBook Pro and stick.

System Requirements: eyeTV Version 3.6.8 / OSX 10.11.x

For PC users, Total TV Player is available to download for Windows 8 or later. (2.5 GHz Intel/AMD Core Duo (or similar), 4GB RAM)

eyeTV T2
ab €129,95

eyeTV T2
ab €112,95

eyeTV T2(Guide) £99.99

eyeTV Hybrid(Guide) £119.95

Own-brand DAB+ radios
In the UK, the last remaining bastion of died-in-the-wool, "original-flavour"-only DAB receivers is the range of own-brand radios sold by the major supermarket chains. Which brand will be last to switch? With the new UK digital radio tick mark now specifying DAB+ capability (among other welcome things) to qualify, it can't be long now. With DAB+ services already on air across the UK, and more certain to follow, Wohnort recommends that the own-brand ranges be avoided until they include DAB+.Caveat emptor!

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December 27th 2007
Swiss public-service broadcaster SRG/SSR has brought into service a new transmitter on Block 12A. L'Auberson is the first of around 15 planned new sites in the Jura and extends coverage of SRG SSR F01 to Ste-Croix and L'Auberson as well as parts of La Côte-aux-Fées. The new transmitter is under test at the moment and as such liable to interruptions, periods of reduced power and other odd effects before entering official public service in about four weeks time.

December 27th 2007
Swiss public-service broadcaster SRG/SSR has brought into service a new transmitter on Block 12C. Höfen extends and improves coverage of SRG SSR - DRS around the entire Thunersee area and also along the Aaretal as far as Münsingen and along the Gürbetal as far as Wattenwil. The new transmitter is under test at the moment and as such liable to interruptions, periods of reduced power and other odd effects before entering official public service in about four weeks time.

December 27th 2007
The BBC has brought into service a new transmitter on the Block 12B Single Frequency Network and its first outside the UK proper. Douglas extends coverage to the Isle of Man, officially not a part of the United Kingdom.

December 21st 2007CE Birmingham, NOW Berks&Hants and NOW Wolverhamptn Snapshots updated.

December 19th 2007
The UK regulator Ofcom has advertised the local DAB licence for Surrey and North Sussex. The ensemble will run on two frequencies, raising the possibility, technically at least, that two distinct ensembles could run in the licence area. Block 10B (211.648 MHz) is the frequency for the south eastern part and Block 10C (213.360 MHz) for the north western part. Capacity is reserved for the local BBC service BBC Southern Counties Radio. Closing date for applications is March 26th 2008. Closing date for applications is March 26th 2008. Ofcom intends to announce a decision within four months of the closing date.

December 13th 2007
Swiss public-service broadcaster SRG/SSR has brought into service another transmitter on the Block 12C SFN SRG SSR - DRS. Ulmizberg is the second transmitter to serve Bern and improves coverage including indoor reception.

December 13th 2007
The UK regulator Ofcom has awarded the local DAB licence for North Yorkshire to the sole applicant, MuxCo North Yorkshire Ltd (The Local Radio Company plc 60%; MuxCo Limited 40%). The ensemble will operate on Block 10C (213.360 MHz). Capacity is reserved for BBC Radio York. MuxCo proposes to broadcast five audio services from launch, in addition to the BBC service.

Minster FM (The Local Radio Company)
Stray FM (The Local Radio Company)
Fresh Radio (Laser Broadcasting)
Easy Radio (Easy Radio)
Traffic Radio (Highways Agency)

MuxCo proposes to launch a sixth service within two years (Yorkshire Coast Radio - The Local Radio Company) and to provide a wide range of podcasts. MuxcCo proposes to begin broadcasting by 30th June 2009 using two transmitters which it estimates will provide 65% coverage by population, and to add a third transmitter within two years, increasing coverage by population to 72%.

December 12th 2007Digital1 Network daytime Snapshot updated.

December 12th 2007
The Australian regulator, the Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA), has invited applications to operate DAB ensembles in each of the state capitals and has published accompanying frequency and channel plans. The ACMA has invited broadcasters in each area to form joint venture companies to apply for and hold multiplex licences.

December 12th 2007
An interesting difference in opinion as to the outcome of a meeting of European Member States on November 29th has emerged as a result of a press release from World DMB.

European Commission, 29.12.2007

WorldDMB, 06.12.2007

"Commission strategy for Mobile TV in Europe endorsed by Member States"

"European Nations ask the Commission to let the market decide"

"I welcome the support received today for the Commission's mobile TV strategy and, by a strong majority of Member States, also for DVB-H."

"The European Commission's push for DVB-H as the single mobile TV standard in Europe was met with harsh criticism from European Member States on Thursday (29th November)."

"all EU Member States will have to support and encourage the use of DVB-H"

"Reding has decided not to follow through on her threat of mandation for one mobile TV standard in Europe."

"an irreversible trend in the market towards DVB-H as the preferred European standard for mobile TV"

"European Broadcasters have invested hundreds of millions of Euros in DAB/DMB infrastructure and content, whilst consumers have spent hundreds of millions buying digital radio receiving equipment. Any signal that EU regulation could make DVB-H the only acceptable standard threatens to undermine these investments"

December 11th 2007
DAB tests are reported to be underway in Malaysia. A Single Frequency Network from two sites in Kuala Lumpur, Menara KL and Bukit Gasing, will broadcast a number of configurations during the two-month tests, consisting of DAB, DAB+ and T-DMB.

December 11th 2007
The French Digital Radio Association, which has been lobbying for a rapid roll-out of digital radio since February 2006, has issued a communique expressing regret at the choice of T-DMB as the only standard for Band III and L-band, rather than a "technology neutral" policy which it had advocated. The association hopes that the additional costs of using T-DMB, "two to three times greater for the quasi-equivalent services than they would have been in DAB+, the standard rejected", will be taken into account by the Minister, and that the ministry will put into place concrete measures to assist the smaller and medium-sized broadcasters with the costs engendered by the choice of broadcasting standard. The association hopes that the choice will not isolate France "as in other times with SECAM and D2MAC". The association is still conducting tests of the two systems, T-DMB and DAB+, following on from other tests conducted in Nantes, and will make the results public and forward them to the authorities. The Association has welcomed, on the other hand, the adoption of DRM as the broadcasting standard for the frequencies up to 30 MHz (the "AM" bands).

December 11th 2007
On Digital1 Network, the Service Core is running at the increased bitrate of 80 kbit/s. Overnight Snapshot updated.

December 10th 2007
A new transmitter has been brought into service on the Block 11C ensemble NOW Kent. Tunbridge Wells extends coverage to the surrounding area.

December 10th 2007
The UK regulator Ofcom has published details of the mechanism by which the L-band frequencies will be auctioned. 16 licences granting use of 1.7 MHz of bandwidth each will be offered, corresponding to frequency blocks LA to LP. An additional licence for 12.5 MHz of bandwidth will be offered for the sub-band 1479.5 to 1492 MHz. Each licence will cover the whole of the United Kingdom, excluding the Isle of Man and the Channel Islands. Each licence will be service and specification neutral, but the licence holders will be required to adhere to the Maastricht 2002 Special Arrangement. It will be for the licence-holders to adopt codes of practice to mitigate adjacent channel interference. The licence-holders of Block LP and the sub-band 1479.5 to 1492 MHz will be required to agree their own code of practice. The licences will last indefinitely and will be tradeable. Ofcom expects to conduct the auction in Spring 2008.More...

December 10th 2007CE London, Switch London and DRg London Snapshots updated.

December 9th 2007
On EMAP Liverpool, the Service (C7D3) labelled Gold - Liverpool has ceased. The Service (CFC4), labelled Classic Gold, has been relabelled Gold. The Service heat radio has been relabelled HEAT. Snapshot updated.

December 9th 2007
On EMAP C Lancs, the Service Classic Gold has ceased. Snapshot updated.

December 8th 2007
Enfin! Literally years and years of blockage by frequency co-ordination difficulties came to an end this week when the Tunbridge Wells transmitter was finally added to the Block 11D SFN in England & Wales, Digital1 Network, extending coverage to the surrounding area. Two other sites have also been added to the SFN. Bridlington extends coverage on the Yorkshire coast. Eastbourne improves coverage on the Sussex coast.

December 6th 2007
The Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission has granted CHUM an extension to the time-limit by which its digital radio subscription service must be operational.... to December 31st 2007. Assuming that the date in the CRTC Decision is not a misprint, this "approval" must be seen as extremely bad news for the prospects of the subscription service ever being launched. Furthermore, DAB's hopes in Canada were largely resting on a successful launch of the subscription services. It was thought that free-to-air services - the present AM & FM broadcasters, would be able to ride on the CHUM's coat-tails. The subscription service was originally authorised in June 2005 and has not broadcast a single kbit since that date. CHUM had this summer sought an extension of 24 months, to June 16th 2009. This was subsequently scaled back to an appeal for a 12-month extension in the face of an Industry Canada refusal to grant operating licenses to DAB stations which had not yet been implemented, including subscription services. Furthermore, in view of the lack of progress in Canada, Industry Canada had concluded that L-band DAB "no longer appears to be part of the solution for the radio broadcasting move to digital". Industry Canada will not issue any new licences for L-band DAB and will not grant licenses to any services already approved but not actually launched. Industry Canada is to undertake a public consultation on alternative uses for L-band. December 31st 2007 - High Noon for Canadian DAB?

December 5th 2007
The French Culture Minister, Christine Albanel, has today signed a decree which specifies the technical standards to be used for digital radio in France. The system T-DMB has been selected for use in Band III and L-band.

Wohnort adds: Other countries in Europe, if they have not actually selected DAB+, appear to be leaning in that direction. The decree, signed while DAB+ test transmissions were still underway in Paris, virtually makes it certain that Europe will have two different subsets of the DAB specification in operation, T-DMB and DAB+. Any radio which would offer pan-European operability will now have to support both subsets.

DRM will be used at frequencies below 30 MHz - the "AM bands". In a speech delivered at the signing ceremony, the Minister claimed that France is "one of the first" countries in Europe to be launching digital radio and said she had no doubt that France would soon be setting an example to the other countries. And with that, we now hand you back to our studio on the planet Earth.

December 3nd 2007
Radio Regenbogen has begun test transmissions using iBiquity's proprietary system "HD Radio" from Königstuhl on 102.8 MHz.

The HD in HD Radio technically has no meaning. It's part of a consumer brand name for AM/FM digital broadcasting, "HD Radio".
Certain media have referred to it as High Definition. They equate HD Radio to superior enhanced performance for existing radio. As such, the superior quality you see and hear with HDTV is equated with the superior quality you will hear with AM/FM digital broadcasting. Technically though, there is no definition of the HD in HD Radio.

December 3nd 2007
On Digital1 Network, the Service Core is running at the reduced bitrate of 64 kbit/s. Daytime Snapshot updated.

RadioCentre, supported by other radio stakeholders including Digital One, Emap, Town and Country Broadcasting and UTV Radio, stated that [...] "It is surely obvious that no broadcaster would deliberately inflict sub-standard audio on its listeners."

from 'The Future of Radio - the next phase'
pub. Ofcom 22nd November 2007

December 3nd 2007
An EPG has popped up on the Block 8B ensemble DRSaar 1. The service provides details of programmes for the next seven days for the services Deutschlandfunk and Deutschlandradio Kultur.

December 3nd 2007NOW Leicester Snapshot updated. Since the last Snapshot was taken, the SId of Galaxy has changed to (C9CC).

December 3nd 2007NOW Nottingham Snapshot updated.

December 3rd 2007
The UK regulator Ofcom has proposed that it should be given the power to extend the service areas of local DAB multiplexes. The intention is to "eliminate white spaces" [on national maps of local-level coverage]. Ofcom proposes that it should be allowed to extend service areas where such increases would not be significant, and to approve significant increases in exceptional circumstances. Ofcom has put out to consultation a further proposal to change the way it regulates whether a DAB programme service is broadcast in mono or stereo. The issue usually arises as a result of a broadcaster wishing to reduce its costs by using less capacity on a multiplex, or of a multiplex operator wishing to free capacity for other (usually data or mobile TV) services, or for both of those reasons. For services on national multiplexes, Ofcom proposes that henceforth it would not approve a change from stereo to mono "if it was felt that such a change if granted would 'unacceptably diminish' the capacity of the digital sound programme services broadcast under the licence to appeal to a variety of tastes and interests." For services on a local multiplex, Ofcom proposes that henceforth a change from stereo to mono should only be approved if at least one of the following three criteria are met:- "that the change would not unacceptably narrow the range of local DAB services available in the area; that the change would be conducive to the maintenance or promotion of fair and effective competition in the area; if there is evidence of local demand or support for the change." The closing date for responses is December 21st 2007.

December 2nd 2007
Two transmitters have recently been added to the Block 11D SFN in England and Wales, Digital1 Network. Workington improves reception on the Cumbrian coast and Chesterfield extends coverage in north east Derbyshire.

December 2nd 2007
Snapshot of the Block 12A Swiss ensemble SRG SSR F01 updated. This is the first Snapshot since the ensemble migrated from Block 12B to 12A. Since the last Snapshot, the ensemble has been relabelled and the EId has changed from (4002) to (4041)

December 2nd 2007NOW Sussex Coast Snapshot updated.

December 2nd 2007EMAP Teesside and EMAP T&W Snapshots updated. All the EMAP ensembles observed recently have been continuing the dual-running of Classic Gold and the respective Gold service. On each ensemble, both services point to the same audio stream. On the Now Digital ensembles, by contrast, this dual-running ceased at the end of September/ beginning of October.

December 2nd 2007
Snapshot of the Spanish ensemble MF2 updated.

December 2nd 2007
On Digital1 Network, the mobile TV service BBC One has ceased. Daytime Snapshot updated.

December 1st 2007
European member states have endorsed a decision by the European Commission adopting DVB-H as the preferred European standard for mobile TV. As a result of the decision, according to an EU communique, all EU Member States will have to support and encourage the use of DVB-H for the launch of mobile TV services.

December 1st 2007
The DAB website of SRG/SSR now shows the transmitted SId (43F2) for the Italian-language service Radio Svizzera Classica. [see November 15th for background]

November 30th 2007
On the Block 11C ensemble Muenchen, the Service Gong Mobil DAB is running with a new SId (1D16).

November 29th 2007
Snapshot of the national Spanish ensemble FU-E updated.

November 29th 2007NOW Kent Snapshot updated.

November 29th 2007MXR North East and MXR Yorkshire Snapshots updated.

November 29th 2007
UK TII table updated.

November 28th 2007
The Bavarian regulator BLM has advertised capacity on the block LD (eventually 11A) ensemble Ingolstadt. On offer is the capacity already vacated by the commercial broadcaster Radio Melodie and soon to be vacated by Radio Riverside. Closing date for applications is December 21st 2007. The advertisement reveals the current DAB planning in Bavaria. The migration of the ensemble to Band III is projected for 2008/9 and will begin with three transmitters, Gelbelsee, Ingolstadt-Audi and Pfaffenhofen. The BLM gives the candidates the choice of MPEG 1 Layer II or AAC+ for audio coding, but provides a definite incentive to a broadcaster that would begin transmitting immediately in MPEG 1 Layer II. Should the broadcaster choose AAC+, the candidates are made aware that the transmission provider Bayern Digital Radio will not be ready for DAB+ until the end of 2008. The licence would run until April 30th 2011. Should the broadcaster choose MPEG 1 Layer II, transmissions could begin much sooner and there would be the option of a four-year extension beginning May 1st 2011, but from that date transmissions should be in AAC+. April 30th 2011 can therefore be inferred from this advertisement as a switch-off date for original-flavour DAB.... in Ingolstadt at any rate.

November 28th 2007
The UK regulator Ofcom has advertised the local DAB licence for Mid and West Wales. Two frequencies will cover the licence area, raising the possibility, technically at least, that two distinct ensembles may be operated. Block 10C will cover the northeastern part of the licence area, and Block 12D the south western part. Capacity is reserved for the BBC services BBC Radio Wales and BBC Radio Cymru. The closing date for applications is February 20th 2008. Ofcom expects to announce a decision about the licence within four months of the closing date.

November 27th 2007
On the Block 12C ensemble, DRN HAMBURG, the Service Radio Digital 1 is reported to have ceased. The only audio services remaining on this ensemble are those of public-service broadcasters.

November 27th 2007
On the Block 12C ensemble, BAND III HESSEN, the Service hr DIGI-VERKEHR is reported to have ceased.

November 27th 2007MXR WestMidlands Snapshot updated.

November 24th 2007
The federal radio frequency regulator in Germany, the Bundesnetzagentur, has granted permission for the transmission powers of the Block 12D ensemble Bayern to be increased to enable reliable indoor coverage. 19 transmitters currently radiating at 1kW will have their powers raised to 10 kW. A further 23 transmitters will have their powers raised from 1 kW to 4 kW. Powers had until now been restricted to 1kW per site out of concerns by the Defence Ministry of interference to military frequencies. An implementation date has so far not been announced.

November 21st 2007Off-topic:The UK regulator Ofcom has launched a public consultation on the inclusion of high definition services as part of the digital terrestrial television system (DTT). Ofcom proposes

No new radio frequency spectrum would be made available for high definition television on DTT.

All multiplexes would use 64QAM modulation to provide increased capacity at the expense of a less robust signal. (At present only two muxes use 64QAM. Four muxes currently use 16QAM.) On its own this would increase overall DTT capacity by 20%.

Multiplex B would be cleared of its present occupants, who would be accomodated on the other multiplexes.

HDTV services would be transmitted on Multiplex B.

Multiplex B would use DVB-T2, a standard still under development and expected to be finalised into a specification in Spring 2008. This would increase the capacity of Mux B by at least 30%.

HDTV services would use MPEG 4 and be transmitted at 720p. The new coding standard is expected to be twice as efficient as MPEG 2.

Altogether, the proposed technical changes would more than double the available capacity across the whole DTT system.

New set-top boxes would be required to receive the HD Services on Mux B.

Multiplexes carrying the main BBC, ITV and Channel 4 standard-definition services (Multiplexes 1 and 2) would continue to use DVB-T and MPEG 2 for the forseeable future.

The conversion of the existing multiplexes to 64QAM and the reallocation of mux capacity would be completed in time for digital switchover in the Granada region (North West England) in late 2009/early 2010.

Ofcom has invited the main UK broadcasters to propose how they would make use of the HD capacity on Mux B. The full consultation document and an independent engineering report commissioned by Ofcom are available for download.

The BBC, ITV, Channel 4 and Five have already (yesterday) signed a memorandum of understanding to make HD services available on DTT by 2009/2010 at the earliest and by the completion of digital switchover in 2012 at the latest.

November 19th 2007
A new Service is reported to have popped up on DAB Ireland Mux2. Radio Kerry is reported to be running at 96 kbit/s in Mono.

November 19th 2007
It is reported from the Netherlands that plans to begin test transmissions using FMeXtra on four local radio stations have been abandoned.

November 18th 2007
Radio Netherlands reports that the major commercial radio stations have decided to end their experimental transmissions using FMeXtra, having concluded that "it cannot offer such a migration path [from analogue FM to digital] in the foreseeable future." Unlike DRM+ and HD Radio, FMeXtra uses subcarriers to transmit the digital signal.

November 18th 2007
According to reports from Italy, the commercial DAB ensemble EuroDAB Italia is now broadcasting most of its services using DAB+. Of the ten audio services transmitted on the ensemble, only two, Radio Radio and RTL 102.5 are still reported to be using MPEG 1 Layer II. The ensemble Club Dab Italia is reported to be broadcasting six services in DAB+ and four in original-flavour DAB.

November 15th 2007
A Snapshot of the Italian-Swiss ensemble SRG SSR I01 taken earlier this year revealed the transmitted SId of Radio Svizzera Classica (an Italian-moderated service broadcast in Canton Ticino/Tessin and eventually to be extended to Poschiavo and Bregaglia in Graubünden) to be 43F2. The DAB website of SRG/SSR stated the SId was 42F2. If used, the latter SId would clash with that of Radio Swiss Classic, a joint German- and French-moderated service transmitted in the other two linguistic regions of the country. ETSI EN 300 401 V1.3.3 has this to say about the SId:

Each service shall be identified by a Service Identifier which, when used in
conjunction with an Extended Country Code, is unique world-wide.

Wohnort suspected a typo on the SRG/SSR website. In response to a technical query to the website about this discrepancy, the Marketing (sic) department replied. For the benefit of our German-speaking DAB friends, the surprising explanation, which ignores the transmitted reality, is quoted below. Wohnort liberally translates the response as follows: Using the same SId for two services with completely different audio content is OK because the broadcaster only holds one licence. (By the way, Wohnort suspects that, unlike the Marketing department, Swiss engineers have got it right.)

November 15th 2007
On MXR West & Wales, the Service XFM UK has been relabelled XFM South Wales.

November 13th 2007
The media regulator for Rheinland-Pfalz, the LMK, and the Fachhochschule Kaiserslautern have published the results of a joint study into the suitability for use in Band II in Germany of the competing digital systems, DRM+ and HD Radio. Full details of the results are available for download. Summarised briefly, the report states that HD Radio, a proprietary system from iBiquity standardised for the American market, does not conform to the European standard for broadcast signals in Band II. The bandwidth of the signal means that interference can be caused as much as 200 kHz away. Its regular use in Germany is therefore ruled out. DRM+, the report states, is fully conform with European standards and with the European Band II frequency raster. A European standardisation should follow in 2008. Both systems, however, are compatible with services in neighbouring bands - civilian and military mobile radio below Band II and aircraft communications above Band II. Further trials of both systems are planned to take place in Germany. Test transmissions using DRM+ are due to begin next week in Hannover. HD Radio will be tested in Heidelberg from December to the end of February. A trial of DRM+ will take place in Kaiserslautern next year.

November 9th 2007
A new ensemble has popped up in Paris on Block 11A. XP Pleyel is reported to be transmitting 15 audio services. One of them is being broadcast in two versions, OUI FM - DAB in MPEG 1 Layer II and OUI FM - DAB + in AAC+. However, both services are reported to have the same SId. According to a listener, this is creating problems for some receivers. The other 13 audio streams on the ensemble use AAC+.

November 9th 2007
Two new transmitters have been added to the Block 11D SFN in England and Wales, Digital1 Network. Workington extends coverage in and around the town on the Cumbrian coast. Chesterfield extends coverage in and around the Derbyshire town.

November 9th 2007
The UK regulator Ofcom has published a revised timetable for the advertisement of local DAB licences. Two areas have been added -
Somerset, to be advertised in January 2008 and North Wales in February 2008. Ofcom states that international spectrum agreements may restrict the coverage of the North Wales ensemble until June 2015 at the latest.

November 9th 2007
On NOW Wolverhamptn, the Service Beacon has been relabelled beacon.

November 8th 2007
The UK regulator Ofcom has awarded the local DAB licence for Oxfordshire to NOW Digital (Oxford) Ltd., (Now Digital 75%, Passion Radio (Oxford) Ltd 25%). The ensemble will run on Block 10B (211.648 MHz). Capacity is reserved for BBC Radio Oxford.
Now Digital proposes to broadcast eight audio services in addition to the BBC service.

Now Digital Oxford) proposes to begin broadcasting by September 2008 from three transmitters, which it estimates will cover 89.1% by population of the licensed area.

November 5th 2007
A new Service has popped up on the Block 12A ensemble for the Italian-speaking region of Switzerland SRG SSR I01. WRS is reported to be running at 64 kbit/s in Mono. "World Radio Switzerland" is an English-language Service for western and southern Switzerland. Today was the first day of official public service. To accomodate the newcomer, the bitrate of the Service RR SRG has dropped to 56 kbit/s and the Service OPTION MUSIQUE is running at the reduced Protection Level 4.

November 5th 2007
Two new transmitters have been brought into service on the Block 11C SFN Muenchen. Ismaning and Olympiaturm, operating at post-GE06 power levels, extend the area of outdoor coverage and will improve indoor reception in the city itself.

November 3rd 2007
A new Service has popped up on the Block 12C ensemble SRG SSR - DRS. DRS 4 News is running at 56 kbit/s with half-rate coding. The official programme start is November 5th. To accomodate the newcomer, the bitrates of the Services RR SRG, RSR-1ERE and RETE UNO have dropped to 56 kbit/s and the Services DRS 1, DRS 2 and DRS 3 are running at the reduced Protection Level 4.

November 3rd 2007
On the Block 12B ensemble DAB THUERINGEN, the Service TOP40 is reported to have ceased.

November 3rd 2007
In Lyon, the Block 8A ensemble VDL DMB is also being transmitted on Block 8D. The audio services Reference, Classique and Espace have ceased. Three new stream data audio services FB Drome Ardeche, France info and Frequence Jazz have popped up. Only one original-flavour DAB service remains, Radio Trafic DAB. Otherwise, the ensemble consists of 7 stream data services carrying audio as DMB and two packet data services.

November 3rd 2007
A new ensemble has popped up in Lyon on Block 7D. TDF LYON is broadcasting 7 stream data services carrying audio as DMB.

November 3rd 2007
In Paris, a new ensemble has popped up on Block 9A with a parallel transmission on Block LI. towerCast DMB is broadcasting 11 stream data services carrying audio as DMB.

November 3rd 2007
In Paris, a new ensemble has popped up on Block 11C with a parallel transmission on Block LB. TDF_BL is broadcasting 10 stream data services carrying audio as DMB.

November 3rd 2007
On NOW Cardiff&Npt, the Service Red Dragon FM has been relabelled red dragon.

November 2nd 2007Score DUNDEE Snapshot updated.

November 2nd 2007
In Suisse Romande, the French-speaking region of Switzerland, the ensemble SRG SSR / F has been relabelled SRG SSR F01 and has a new EId (4041). A new Service has popped up. WRS is running at 128 kbit/s. The Services DRS 1, RETE UNO and RR SRG are running at the reduced bitrate of 56 kbit/s.

November 1st 2007
On MXR WestMidlands, the Service QASIA has been relabelled Asian FX.

November 1st 2007
On NOW Leicester, the Service Leicester Sound has been relabelled leicester sound. On NOW Nottingham, the Service Trent FM has been relabelled trent fm. On NOW Bristol, the Service GWR Bristol has been relabelled gwr bristol.

October 30th 2007
Two packet data services not previously reported here are currently running in the Block 11C ensemble Muenchen. EPG MUENCHEN and JOURNALINE AUDI both share the same subchannel as two other data services.

October 30th 2007
Swiss public-service broadcaster SRG/SSR has announced that during the night 30th/31st October, certain modifications will be made to the configuration of the Block 12C ensemble SRG SSR - DRS such that all DAB receivers in German-speaking Switzerland will require a rescan in order to recapture the services being broadcast. This suggests changes to either the EId or the SIds, or both.

October 29th 2007
Two new services have popped up on the Block 12A ensemble MXR WestMidlands. Panjab Radio and QASIA are each reported to be running at 64 kbit/s in Mono.

October 27th 2007
The Canadian Department of Industry has announced that it will consider applications from broadcasters wishing to conduct test transmissions in Band II (the "FM" band) using IBOC in hybrid mode. The Department states that at the present time it is not prepared to consider applications for transmissions in the MF band (known as "AM"), "as this would be premature". The Department of Industry coordinates radio frequencies in Canada. Approval to transmit programmes using IBOC would also be required from the broadcasting regulator, the Canadian Radio-Television and Telecommunications Commission.

October 26th 2007
Swiss public-service broadcaster SRG/SSR has brought into service a new transmitter on Block 12C. Aegerten extends coverage of the ensemble for the German-speaking region, SRG SSR - DRS, to the area around Schötz, Willisau, Butisholz and Ruswil. The transmitter should be considered as being under test and as such liable to interruptions, periods of reduced power and other effects before entering official public service in a few weeks' time.

October 26th 2007
Test transmissions have begun in Germany of two competing digital systems for use in Band II, the "FM" band. Radio Regenbogen is conducting tests on 102.8 MHz in Heidelberg using the proprietary system from US company iBiquity, "HD-Radio", to broadcast two auxiliary services Regenbogen Gold and Regenbogen Comedy. In Heilbronn, the station Antenne 1 has begun a month-long test on 89.1 MHz using the system FMeXtra. HD Radio uses sidebands to broadcast the additional data, whereas FMeXtra makes use of subcarriers. It is also worth noting that HD Radio requires royalties to be paid for its use whereas FMeXtra does not.

October 25th 2007
The United Kingdom regulator Ofcom has received two applications for the local DAB licence covering Gloucestershire. The ensemble will operate on Block 10C (213.360 MHz). Capacity equivalent to a 128 kbit/s service at Protection Level 3 is reserved for BBC Radio Gloucestershire.

Of these, MuxCo Gloucs proposes that four of the services (Severn Sound, Gold, Star and Shuffle) should broadcast at 112 kbit/s using the normal full sampling rate coding.

MuxCo Gloucs proposes to broadcast an Electronic Programme Guide in a dedicated packet data sub-channel and to allow audio service providers to offer ancillary content in X-PAD and to provide a "wide range" of Podcasts for download from a range of providers managed by Folder Media.

Assuming a January 2008 announcement, MuxCo Gloucestershire proposes a simultaneously launch alongside its ensemble for Hereford and Worcester, and no later than October 2008, using four transmitters (Churchdown Hill, Stroud, Blunsdon and Icomb Hill), which it estimates will cover 79% (outdoor - 67% indoor) by population of the licensed area.

Of these services, Now Digital proposes that three of the services (Gold, Chill and the dance service) should be broadcast in Joint Stereo at 96 kbit/s using the lower sampling frequency.

Now Digital proposes to broadcast an Electronic Programme Guide in a dedicated packet data sub-channel and will encourage audio service providers to offer Slideshow content in X-PAD.

If awarded the licence in January 2008, Now Digital proposes to begin broadcasting in December 2008 from three transmitters (Churchdown Hill, Stroud and Dursley), which it estimates will cover 75% (outdoor - 66% indoor) by population of the licensed area.

Both applicants base their proposed launch dates on a January 2008 announcement. However, Ofcom stated in the advertisement that they expected to announce a decision within four months of the closing date, which looks more like February 2008 to Wohnort, especially given the competetive nature of both applications.

October 24th 2007
The United Kingdom regulator Ofcom has advertised the local DAB franchise for Lincolnshire. The ensemble will operate on Block 10D (215.072 MHz). Capacity equivalent to a 128 kbit/s service at Protection Level 3 is reserved for BBC Radio Lincolnshire. Closing date for applications is January 23rd 2008. Ofcom intends to announce a decision within four months of the closing date.

October 23rd 2007
UK TII table updated.

October 23rd 2007
The ensemble NOWWiltshire has been relabelled NOW W. Wiltshire.NOWDIGITAL KENT has been relabelled NOW Kent.NOWSwindon has been relabelled NOW Swindon.

October 22nd 2007
The ensemble NOW S&C has been relabelled NOW Essex.

October 22nd 2007
The ensemble NOW READING has been relabelled NOW Berks&Hants and the Service Gold -Thames Vly has been relabelled Gold Berks/Hants.

October 15th 2007
And now the latest exciting developments in Canadian digital radio. In a bizarre and irrational decision, the Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission has confirmed the licence renewal of a multiplex which ceased transmitting over a year ago. In announcing that the Windsor ensemble was being renewed, the CRTC stated that the criteria for renewal was that the multiplex should have been in operation by August 31st 2007. In actual fact, the ensemble ceased over a year before that date, and a CBC source confirmed to Wohnort that the transmitter had been dismantled, adding "We have no clue when we will put it back on the air." When asked why the CRTC was treating Windsor more favourably than other undertakings which were also not on the air, the CRTC responded "the above-noted undertakings had at one point commenced operations. The Commission was informed in writing of their respective implementation dates. It should be noted that each of these undertakings has fulfilled a principal licensing requirement (i.e. being in operation) and as such, have had their licences renewed". The CRTC added "every decision of the Commission is final and conclusive." As a Canadian listener put it in an e-mail to Wohnort, "Dead air is final and conclusive".

October 11th 2007
On the Block 12D ensemble Bayern,BR Bayern2+ has been relabelled BAYERN 2 plus.BR Bayern 4 has been relabelled BAYERN 4.BR B5 aktuell has been relabelled Klassik B5 plus.BR BayernMobil has been relabelled BAYERN Mobil.BR DasModul has been relabelled Das Modul.

October 11th 2007
The UK regulator Ofcom has awarded the Northamptonshire local DAB licence to Now Digital, a subsidiary of GCap. The ensemble will run on Block 10C (213.360 MHz). Capacity is reserved for BBC Radio Northampton.

Now Digital proposes to begin broadcasting by September 2008 from three transmitters, which it estimates will cover 92.9% by population of the licensed area.

October 9th 2007
In France, the ensemble TDF:RADIO FRANCE, which was transmitted in a number of cities, has ceased. Radio France is understood to be conducting T-DMB tests in Paris.

October 9th 2007DRg London evening Snapshot updated.

October 8th 2007
A new service has popped up on DRg London. Polish Radio Ldn is running at 96 kbit/s in Mono. Daytime Snapshot updated.

October 5th 2007CE Manchester Snapshot updated.

October 5th 2007
Two new services have popped up on the Block 12A ensemble DAB Ireland Mux2. DAP ALL 80's and DAP Mocha (sic) are both running at 128 kbit/s. Snapshot to follow.

October 5th 2007
A new transmitter has been added to the Block 12A SFN in Scotland, Digital1 Network. Selkirk extends coverage to the town of Selkirk and surrounding area of the Scottish Borders.

October 5th 2007
A new transmitter has been added to the Block 11D SFN in England and Wales, Digital1 Network. Whitehaven extends coverage to Whitehaven and the surrounding parts of the Cumbrian coast.

October 4th 2007ScoreEDINBURGH Snapshot updated.

October 4th 2007
The Swiss Federal Communications Commission (ComCom) has awarded a nationwide DVB-H licence to Swiss Broadcast AG. The frequencies will be used to broadcast television programmes to small mobile receivers. The licence will last 10 years. Swiss Broadcast must achieve 40% coverage of the population by the end of May 2008 and 60% by the end of 2012. A minimum 70% of the available capacity on each multiplex must be used for television.

October 4th 2007
On the Block 12C ensemble BAND III HESSEN the audio Service hr DIGI-VERKEHR is running at the reduced bitrate of 32 kbit/s.

October 4th 2007
Two new Services have popped up on MXR North West and MXR Yorkshire. UCBInspirational and UCB UK are running at 64 kbit/s in Mono at the half-rate sampling frequency. It is likely the services have popped up on other MXT ensembles also. MXR North West Snapshot updated.

October 4th 2007
On NOW Coventry, NOW Leicester, NOW Nottingham and NOW Wolverhamptn, the Service XFM UK has been relabelled XFM Midlands.

October 4th 2007
On NOW Leicester, the Service Asian Plus is reported to have been relabelled A Plus.

October 4th 2007
On CE Manchester, the Service Capital Gold has ceased. On CE Birmingham, the Service CAPITAL GOLD has ceased. Both Services coexisted for a while with, and pointing to the same audio streams as Gold -Birmingham and Gold -Manchester respectively.

October 4th 2007
The dual-running of the Classic Gold and Gold - xxxxx services on the NOW ensembles has ended and the Classic Gold services have ceased. Both Services coexisted for a while, during which time they pointed to the same audio stream.

October 4th 2007
On CE Birmingham, the Service XFM UK has been relabelled XFM MIDLANDS.

October 3rd 2007
The Service heat radio is running on Arqiva Ayr. Snapshot updated.

October 3rd 2007
On MXR West & Wales and MXR WestMidlands, the Service Jazzfm.com / jazzfm.com is reported to have ceased.

October 3rd 2007
The Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission has authorised Standard Radio Inc. to broadcast DAB services associated with the existing stations CISL Richmond and CKZZ-FM Vancouver. The decision changes little, however, as both services are already broadcast on the Block L8 ensemble CHANNEL8. Rather, the announcement appears to be connected with the purchase by Astral Media Radio Inc. of the assets of certain radio and television undertakings from Standard and to be an effort on the part of Standard to "normalise" their operations prior to the change of ownership.

September 17th 2007
On UTV-Emap Stoke, the Service UCB UK CHRISTIAN is running at the reduced bitrate of 64 kbit/s in Mono. Snapshot updated.

September 15th 2007
On EMAP Liverpool and EMAP South Yorks, the Service HEAT has been relabelled heat radio and is running at the increased bitrate of 112 kbit/s in Joint Stereo. The same is likely to be true on the other EMAP ensembles also.

September 15th 2007
A new Service has popped up on Score N.IRELAND. heat radio is running at 112 kbit/s in Joint Stereo.

September 14th 2007
A new Service has popped up on CE Manchester. heat radio is running at 112 kbit/s in Joint Stereo.

September 14th 2007
On CE London, the Service MAGIC is reported to be running at the reduced bitrate of 112 kbit/s in Joint Stereo.

September 14th 2007
The Service heat radio is reported to have migrated from DRg London to CE London where it is reported to be running at the increased bitrate of 112 kbit/s in Joint Stereo.

September 14th 2007
The Service SMASH HITS! is reported to have migrated from CE London to DRg London at the same bitrate.

September 14th 2007
A new Service has popped up on CE Birmingham. heat radio is running at 112 kbit/s in Joint Stereo. The Service MAGIC Birmingham is reported to have ceased.

September 14th 2007
And now the latest exciting developments in Canadian digital radio. On the Block L8 Toronto ensemble CH___8, the Service CHIN has suddenly begun broadcasting on both stereo channels after months of only broadcasting on the left-hand channel. However, on the Block L9 ensemble CHANNEL 9, the services CJYE, CJMR and CIAO have fallen silent.

September 14th 2007
A new Service has popped up on ScoreEDINBURGH. heat radio is running at 112 kbit/s in Joint Stereo.

September 14th 2007
A new Service has popped up on ScoreGLASGOW. heat radio is running at 112 kbit/s in Joint Stereo.

September 13th 2007
A new Service has popped up on the Block 12A ensemble DAB Ireland Mux2. Spin 103.8 is running at 128 kbit/s in Joint Stereo. On the Block 12C ensemble DAB Ireland Mux1, RTE Sport DAB has replaced Service 10. On all RTÉ services, the accented character has been dropped from the Service labels in favour of non-accented ones.

September 13th 2007
Swiss public-service broadcaster SRG/SSR has brought into service a new transmitter on Block 12A. Monte Bre improves coverage of the ensemble for the Italian-speaking region, SRG SSR I01, in Bedano, Bioggio, Canobbio Comano, Cureglia, Lugano, Manno, Massagno, Paradiso, Porza, Bavosa and Vezia. The transmitter should be considered as being under test and as such liable to interruptions, periods of reduced power and other effects before entering official public service in a few weeks' time.

September 13th 2007
The UK regulator Ofcom has received one application for the local DAB licence for North Yorkshire. The ensemble will operate on Block 10C (213.360 MHz). Capacity is reserved for BBC Radio York. MuxCo North Yorkshire Ltd (The Local Radio Company plc 60%; MuxCo Limited 40%) proposes to broadcast five audio services from launch, in addition to
the BBC service.

Minster FM (The Local Radio Company)
Stray FM (The Local Radio Company)
Fresh Radio (Laser Broadcasting)
Easy Radio (Easy Radio)
Traffic Radio (Highways Agency)

MuxCo proposes to launch a sixth service within two years (Yorkshire Coast Radio - The Local Radio Company) and to provide a wide range of podcasts. MuxcCo proposes to begin broadcasting by 30th June 2009 using two transmitters which it estimates will provide 65% coverage by population, and to add a third transmitter within two years, increasing coverage by population to 72%.

September 12th 2007
A new Service has popped up on the Block 12C ensemble BAND III HESSEN. hr_DIGI-VERKEHR is running at 64 kbit/s in mono.

September 10th 2007Arqiva Ayr Snapshot updated.

September 9th 2007
On NOW Nottingham the Service 96 Trent FM has been relabelled Trent FM.

September 6th 2007
A new ensemble is reported to have popped up in Leipzig on Block 11A. MDR DMB Pilot is reported to be broadcasting four services MDR Test 1, etc. - the first with a bit rate of 320 kbit/s, the other three with 200 kbit/s.

September 6th 2007
The UK regulator Ofcom has awarded two local DAB franchises to MuxCo, a new entrant to UK DAB multiplex management. MuxCo has entered into partnerships around the country in order to bid for and operate local DAB multiplexes. Each partnership has been constructed with the particular locality in mind, comprising local broadcasters, other media groups and MuxCo themselves.

MuxCo Hereford & Worcester proposes to begin broadcasting in September 2008 from three transmitters, which it estimates will cover 79.7% by population of the licensed area.

Northeast Wales and West Cheshire
MuxCo Northeast Wales and West Cheshire Ltd. (Dee 106.3 Ltd 25%; UTV 25%; Town & Country 25%; MuxCo 25%). The ensemble will run on Block 10D (215.072 MHz). Capacity is reserved for BBC Radio Wales and BBC Radio Cymru. Seven audio services are proposed in addition to the BBC services.

MuxCo Northeast Wales and West Cheshire Ltd. proposes to begin broadcasting by August 2008 from three transmitters, which it estimates will cover 96.1% by population of the licensed area.

September 5th 2007
On NOW Wolverhamptn, the Service Day One Radio has ceased.

September 5th 2007
On the Block 11C ensemble NOWDIGITAL HANTS, the Service The Saint (CFCE) has been relabelled Radio Hampshire.

September 1st 2007
On the Block 9D ensemble EuroDAB Italia, the Service RADIO VATICANA is running at the reduced bitrate of 64 kbit/s and has dropped to Mono. The Services RADIO RADIORDS and RTL 102.5 are running at the reduced bitrate of 128 kbit/s. New Services have popped up. Deejay is running at 128 kbit/s. R 101 is running at 128 kbit/s. Radio Radicale is running at 64 kbit/s in Mono. Radio 24 is running at 64 kbit/s in Mono.The packet data service EPG is reported to have ceased. The TV Service RTL 102.5 TV is reported to be running at the reduced bitrate of 320 kbit/s.

August 31st 2007
On the Block 12D ensemble NOW READING, the Service 2-TEN Digital has been relabelled 2ten digital.

August 30th 2007
Swiss public-service broadcaster SRG/SSR has brought into service a new transmitter on Block 12C. Geuensee-Höchweidwald extends coverage of the ensemble for the German-speaking region, SRG SSR - DRS, towards Sursee and Beromünster. The transmitter should be considered as being under test and as such liable to interruptions, periods of reduced power and other effects before entering official public service in a few weeks' time.

August 30th 2007
A new Service has popped up on the Block 11D ensemble Switch Scotland. talk107 on 107FM is running at 48 kbit/s in Mono LSF. Snapshot updated.

August 30th 2007
On the Block 12C ensemble DRN HAMBURG, the Service Radio Digital 1 is reported to have ceased.

August 22nd 2007
DAB+ transmissions have popped up in the German capital. The Block LE ensemble Berlin/BRBG LE has been relabelled DABplus. The ensemble is reported to be broadcasting four services using the recently adopted codec AAC/AAC+:- DLF DAB+, DKULTUR +, POP 64 and POP 40. A new service has popped up using the original codec MPEG 1 Layer II. POP 128 Musicam would appear to be a reference service running at 128 kbit/s. Two existing services are continuing to broadcast, also using the original codec. Mallorca InselR. is running at 192 kbit/s in Stereo. RADIJojo! is running at 128 kbit/s in Mono.

August 22nd 2007
A new Service has popped up on the ensemble Berlin/BRBG 12. Dradio-Surround is running at 192 kbit/s.

August 13th 2007
A new Band III DMB ensemble has popped up in France. VDL ASF DMB is broadcasting in Lyon from Mont Cindre on Block 8A. Six audio services using AAC+ are being transmitted alongside a reference service using MPEG 1 Layer II and two data services. Snapshot added.

August 13th 2007
The German Defence Ministry has agreed to the increase of DAB transmission powers in the Channel 12 frequency blocks, long refused because of military concerns about possible interference to its frequencies in Channel 13. The Bayerischer Rundfunk programme MedienMagazin reported yesterday that distinct increases in power levels on the Block 12D ensemble Bayern are expected later this year. Also due in the autumn are negotiations on the distribution of capacity on existing and future ensembles between the public and private broadcasting sectors.

August 13th 2007
A new transmitter has been added to the Block 11D SFN in England and Wales, Digital1 Network. Newhaven improves coverage in that part of the South Coast.

August 11th 2007
A new Service has popped up on the Block 11B ensemble UTV-EMAP W.YORKS. PULSE GOLD replaces Classic Gold, which is reported to have ceased. This contrasts with the handling of the switchover on other ensembles, where during an interim period, the old service is dual running with the new one.

August 10th 2007
The UK Office of Fair Trading has referred the acquisition of National Grid Wireless by Macquarie UK Broadcast Ventures Limited to the Competition Commission. The merger of the only two terrestrial broadcast transmission companies in the UK creates a monopoly in the radio and TV transmission services sector. The Competition Commission is exptected to respond in January 2008.

August 9th 2007
DMB services are reported to have popped up in Köln on Block 11D. Two "television" services, WDR Fernsehen and Eins festival are being broadcast for reception on portable receivers with small screens.

August 8th 2007
The UK regulator Ofcom has received two applications for the Oxfordshire local DAB licence. The ensemble will run on Block 10B (211.648 MHz). Capacity is reserved for BBC Radio Oxford.

MuxCo Oxfordshire also proposes to provide "a wide selection of podcasts provided by a range of companies"). MuxCo Oxfordshire proposes to begin broadcasting in September 2008 from three transmitters, which it estimates will cover 89.5% by population of the licensed area, and to bring into service one further transmitter within one year of launch, which it estimates will increase coverage to 89.9% by population of the licensed area.

August 5th 2007
On the Block 12C ensemble BAND III HESSEN, the Services harmony.fm and planet radio are reported to be broadcasting at the reduced bitrate of 80 kbit/s.

August 5th 2007
As reported on July 10th, the Secondary Component of Deutschlandfunk, D-PLUS, has ceased, following an intervention by the Staatskanzlei Rheinland-Pfalz which examined the legal basis of the additional service on behalf of all the Länder, and had characterised the service as "an unauthorised new third service from Deutschlandradio."

August 5th 2007
On most local ensembles in England and Wales, a new Service has popped up. "Gold - name of locality" points to an audio stream already used by an existing service, either Classic Gold or CAPITAL GOLD, which continues to be present on the ensemble.

August 4th 2007
On DRg London, the Service Classic Gold (CEC9) has ceased.

August 3rd 2007
DAB+ transmissions have popped up in the Czech Republic. A month-long trial is being conducted in conjunction with public-service broadcaster Czech Radio. The transmissions using the new additional audio codec (AAC/AAC+) are taking place in the Pribram region on Blocks 12D and LI.

July 27th 2007
DAB+ transmissions have begun in Italy. The Band III ensemble Club DAB Italia is currently broadcasting 5 audio services using the new additional audio codec (AAC/AAC+) alongside 8 services using the classic MPEG I Layer II codec.

July 26th 2007
The UK regulator, Ofcom, has launched a consultation on the technical aspects of its proposed auction of spectrum in L-band (1452 - 1492 MHz). The consultation closes on September 12th. More...

July 25th 2007
The commercial radio station in Mannheim, Radio Regenbogen, is to broadcast test transmissions using the proprietary American digital system HD Radio in hybrid mode, which will run in parallel with its normal FM broadcast on 102.8 MHz. This will be the first transmission using the so-called IBOC system anywhere in Germany.

July 24th 2007
Swiss public-servioce broadcaster SRG/SSR has brought into service another transmitter on Block 12C. Hirschmatt extends coverage of the ensemble for the German-speaking region, SRG SSR - DRS, to the region around Langnau in Emmental, Signau and Lauperswil. The transmitter should be considered as being under test and as such liable to interruptions, periods of reduced power and other effects before entering official public service in a few weeks' time.

June 24th 2007
On NOWDIGITALSUSSEX, the Service Passion Radio has ceased.

June 23rd 2007
In Brandenburg, the Service Voice of Russia is reported to have migrated from the L-band ensemble Berlin/BRBG LE to the Band III ensemble Berlin/BRBG 12.

July 23rd 2007
The worldwide rollout of DAB+ and its additional audio codec (AAC/AAC+) looks closer than ever as a result of an announcement by Factum Electronics of Sweden that it is supplying new DAB+ audio encoders to Commercial Radio in Australia, TELEKO in the Czech Replubic, T-Systems in Germany, and RTL 102,5, Club DAB Italia and another network operator in Italy. In other countries, Factum expects that where transmissions are currently still in the trials phase, the full public service will be launched using DAB+. Factum mentions, specifically, China, India, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Malta and Malaysia.

July 23rd 2007
The UK regulator Ofcom has announced it is to postpone the advertisement of the local DAB licences for Mid & West Wales and for Surrey & N. Sussex. The change is to allow the International Telecommunications to complete the development of its international frequency cooordination checking software. Ofcom plans to add further areas to its local licensing timetable later in the year.

June 20th 2007
The United Kingdom regulator Ofcom has advertised the local DAB franchise for Gloucestershire. The ensemble will operate on Block 10C (213.360 MHz). Capacity equivalent to a 128 kbit/s service at Protection Level 3 is reserved for BBC Radio Gloucestershire. Closing date for applications is October 24th 2007. Ofcom intends to announce a decision within four months of the closing date.

July 16th 2007
Test transmissions have begun in Australia using DAB+. According to Commercial Radio Australia, the tests in Sydney will comprise a mixture of talk and music including pop and jazz to allow the industry to test the sound quality of a variety of content at various bitrates.

July 16th 2007
A new experimental L-band ensemble is reported to have popped up in The Hague. Five television programmes are reported to be being transmitted using DMB.

July 16th 2007
A new transmitter is reported to have been brought into service in the north of Milan, broadcasting an experimental ensemble on Block 12C.

July 15th 2007DRg London Snapshots updated.

July 13th 2007
Swiss public-service broadcaster SRG/SSR has brought into service a new transmitter on Block 12C. Herisau-Ramsen extends coverage of the ensemble for the German-speaking region, SRG SSR - DRS to Gossau and Herisau, in spite of a campaign since last year by local residents to prevent the new site coming into operation. The transmitter should be considered as being under test and as such liable to interruptions, periods of reduced power and other effects before entering official public service in a few weeks' time. Already this year, more than 40 new DAB transmitters have been brought into service in Switzerland. Existing transmitters have had their radiated powers boosted to levels in line with GE06 and which are designed to provide good indoor reception. Zürich and Bern particularly have benefitted from improved coverage. During the remainder of this year, SRG/SSR expects to bring into service another 40 or so sites. By the end of the year, coverage of Switzerland by population is expected to reach 90%.

July 13th 2007
A new transmitter has been brought into service on the Block 12D ensemble Club DAB Italia. Biella serves the area of Novara, Biella and Vercelli in Piemonte.

July 13th 2007
In Hong Kong, the website of RTHK reports that the DAB test transmissions in Band III have ceased.

July 13th 2007
Norway listings updated (process incomplete).

July 13th 2007
Expect developments in France before long. Factum Electronics of Sweden has been awarded a contract by Towercast to supply the French transmission provider with DAB/DMB systems.

July 13th 2007
On DRg London, the Packet Data Service test.london.3 is running at the reduced bitrate of 8 kbit/s. The Service The Arrow - Rock
is reported to be running with reduced Protection Level 4.

July 13th 2007
On NOWDIGITAL HANTS, the Service Channel 9 has ceased.

July 13th 2007
On NOW Peterborough, all services on the ensemble which were previously running at Protection Level 2 are reported now to be running with reduced Protection Level 3.

July 12th 2007EMAP C Lancs and EMAP Liverpool Snapshots updated.

July 11th 2007MXR North West and MXR Yorkshire Snapshots updated.

July 10th 2007UTV-EMAP W.YORKS Snapshot updated and listing corrected. The new Service Traffic Radio was observed to have the SId C2D1.

July 10th 2007CE Manchester Snapshot updated.

July 10th 2007
The Secondary Component of Deutschlandfunk, D-PLUS, must cease, according to reports circulating in Germany. The Component runs from 09:00 to 13:00 on weekdays and broadcasts excerpts from other DLF and Deutschland Kultur programmes plus occasional special programmes such as live coverage of Bundestag debates. The association of private radio broadcasters had complained to media regulators in February 2007 about the new service, on the grounds that Deutschlandradio was only permitted to broadcast two radio services. Martin Stadelmaier, head of the Staatskanzlei Rheinland-Pfalz which examined the complaint on behalf of all the Länder, had already characterised the service as "an unauthorised new third service from Deutschlandradio."

July 9th 2007UTV-Emap Stoke listing updated, removing reference to the Service 'Traffic Radio' which is not (yet?) running on this ensemble.

July 9th 2007
Swiss public-service broadcaster SRG/SSR has brought into service a new transmitter on Block 12C. Dornegg brings coverage of the ensemble for the German-speaking region, SRG SSR - DRS, into the Herzogenbuchsee-Langenthal area, including Aarwangen, Oensingen, Wangen, Solothurn and Zuchwil. The new site should be considered as being under test and as such liable to interruptions, periods of reduced power and other effects before entering official public service in a few weeks' time.

July 6th 2007
Swiss public-service broadcaster SRG/SSR has brought into service eleven new transmitters in the Berner Oberland on Block 12C. Heimenschwand improves coverage of the ensemble for the German-speaking region, SRG SSR - DRS in Grossraum Thun, as far as Heimberg, Wattenwil, Hilterfingen and Oberhofen. A new transmitter at Brienz serves the Brienzerseegebiet. Hopflauenen covers the area Meiringen-Hasliberg-Innertkirchen. Two transmitters in the Simmental, Diemtigen und Heimersberg, serve the area from Erlenbach as far as Zweisimmen. A new transmitter below the Jaunpass provides DAB reception in Jaun. The route Saanen-Lauenen is served by Hornfluh and from St. Stephan to Lenk, DAB signals can be received from Hahnenmoos. In the Kandertal DAB reception is now possible thanks to a new transmitter at Kandersteg. Wintertal serves Adelboden. The region Lauterbrunnen-Grindelwald is served from a new transmitter at Münnlichen.

July 6th 2007
The Swiss regulator BAKOM has awarded reserved capacity on the forthcoming second ensemble for the German-speaking region to eight broadcasters. It was a condition of the advertisment that commercial broadcasters on the forthcoming ensemble must use the new additional audio codec AAC/AAC+ and broadcast in DAB+.

Eight Applicants who were unsuccessful in obtaining reserved capacity may nevertheless negotiate carriage with the operator of the forthcoming ensemble, including:-

Toxic (Existing radio service Radio toxic/St.Gallen)

Radio Top Two (Existing Satellite radio station)

Radio 32 Goldies (Existing Cable station Radio 32 Goldies)

Two applications had to be withdrawn because the new broadcasting law permits only two radio services per broadcaster:-

Cash Classics (Ringier: Financial News and Classical Music)

ChartRadio (Ringier: Pop Music)

In addition, the public-service broadcaster SRG/SSR is entitled to capacity on the new ensemble on the basis of its own concession, and has already be granted permission to operate two services. Unlike the commercial services, SRG/SSR has announced that these will be broadcast using the existing MPEG codec:-

DRS 4 News [Rolling News]

World Radio Switzerland [English-language service]

July 6th 2007
The UK regulator Ofcom has awarded the second national commercial DAB franchise to 4 Digital Group Limited (Channel 4 Radio, Sky News Radio, Emap Digital
Radio, UTV Radio (GB), The Carphone Warehouse Group and UBC Media Group). The ensemble will use Block 11A (216.928 MHz). The licence is designed to cover the whole of the United Kingdom, the Channel Islands and the Isle of Man, subject to international frequency coordination.

4 Digital Group proposes to begin broadcasting with 8 national services and at least 9 podcast providers within 12 months using a network of 174 transmitters covering 86.6% of the adult population. Two further audio services would launch at the as soon as possible thereafter and within the following 11 months.

The award has implications for other ensembles. FUN radio kids, presently broadcast on a number of local ensembles, had national ambitions and was a part of the unsuccessful application from National Grid Wireless. That service seems likely now to remain where it is. As part of the same bid, the BBC had wanted one of its national services, BBC Asian Network, to be able to migrate to the second commercial ensemble, releasing capacity on its own multiplex.

July 6th 2007
The UK regulator Ofcom has awarded the local DAB licence for Derbyshire to the single applicant, Now Digital (East Midlands) Ltd. (Now Digital - GCap; Sabras Sound; Chrysalis Radio). The ensemble will run on Block 10B (211.648 MHz). Capacity is reserved for BBC Radio Derby.

Now Digital proposes to broadcast eight audio services in addition to the BBC service.

Now Digital proposes to begin broadcasting by July 2008 from five transmitters: Chesterfield, Drum Hill, Lichfield, Stanton Moor and Whiteborough.

July 4th 2007
On NOW Coventry, the Service TOUCH FM 96.2 is reported to have dropped to 64 kbit/s in Mono.

July 4th 2007
The UK regulator Ofcom has received two applications for the Northamptonshire local DAB licence. The ensemble will run on Block 10C (213.360 MHz). Capacity is reserved for BBC Radio Northampton.

Now Digital proposes to begin broadcasting by September 2008 from three transmitters, which it estimates will cover 92.9% by population of the licensed area.

July 4th 2007
Swiss public-service broadcaster SRG/SSR has brought into service two new transmitters on Block 12C in Kanton Glarus. Engi brings coverage of the ensemble for the German-speaking region, SRG SSR - DRS, into the Sernftal. Brawunwald extends coverage from Schwanden as far as Linthal. The new sites should be considered as being under test and as such liable to interruptions, periods of reduced power and other effects before entering official public service in a few weeks' time.

July 2nd 2007LG FRANKFURT M. Snapshot updated.

July 2nd 2007
On NOW Wolverhamptn, the Service Chill is reported to have dropped to 80 kbit/s in Mono.

July 1st 2007DRSaar 1 and DRSaar 2 Snapshots updated.

July 1st 2007NOW Ex & Tor Snapshot updated.

June 30th 2007
The Service XFM UK is reported to have popped up on MXR West & Wales.

June 30th 2007
On MXR North East, MXR North East, MXR West & Wales and MXR Yorkshire, the Service Capital Disney is reported to have ceased.

June 30th 2007NOWDIGITAL KENT Snapshot updated.

June 30th 2007
On EMAP Teesside and EMAP T&W, the Service SMASH HITS! is reported to have ceased.

June 30th 2007
According to Ofcom's Technical Parameters spreadsheet, the Service Traffic Radio has popped up on NOWBournemouth, NOW Bristol, NOWBournemouth, NOW Coventry, NOW Peterborough, NOW Plymouth, NOWDIGITAL HANTS, NOWSwindon, EMAP Leeds, EMAP Teesside, EMAP T&W, UTV-Emap Stoke and UTV-EMAP W.YORKS, in addition to the ensembles already reported.

June 30th 2007
A new Service has popped up on NOW Leicester. Traffic Radio is reported to be running at 48 kbit/s in Mono (LSF). The Service Capital Disney has ceased.

June 30th 2007
A new Service has popped up on NOW READING. Traffic Radio is reported to be running at 48 kbit/s in Mono (LSF).

June 30th 2007NOW S&C Snapshot updated.

June 30th 2007
On CE London, the Service Capital Disney has ceased. Snapshot updated.

June 29th 2007
On Digital1 Network, the DMB-IP Service BBC 1 has been relabelled BBC One.

June 29th 2007
A new Service has popped up on NOW EX & Tor. Traffic Radio is reported to be running at 48 kbit/s in Mono (LSF).

June 29th 2007
On MXR North West, the Service Capital Disney is reported to have ceased.

June 29th 2007
A new Service has popped up on NOWWiltshire. Traffic Radio is reported to be running at 48 kbit/s in Mono (LSF).

June 29th 2007
A new Service has popped up on EMAP Humberside. Traffic Radio is reported to be running at 48 kbit/s in Mono (LSF). The Service SMASH HITS! has ceased.

June 29th 2007
A new Service has popped up on EMAP C Lancs. Traffic Radio is reported to be running at 48 kbit/s in Mono (LSF). The Service SMASH HITS! has ceased.

June 28th 2007
The President of the regional media regulator, the Landesanstalt für Kommunikation Baden-Württemberg (LfK), Thomas Langheinrich, has provoked colourful comment in Germany with remarks at the Medienforum NRW. Not only did he call for DAB to be switched off, but he said owners of DAB radios should be given a voucher "in order to go and buy something new." The reacton of the DAB industry was immediate and ironic. Thomas Melzer, spokesman for the DAB marketing organisation IMDR, said that Herr Langheinrich was merely behaving true to form. "Was one of his first official acts as President not to abolish DAB subsidies?". Possibly all Herr Langheinrich had demonstrated was that it is possible to interject one's personal presence and regional sectional interests into a worldwide migration to digital. The IMDR sarcastically offered two further policy suggestions to Herr Langheinrich:- "Switch off the Internet in Baden-Württemberg and ban the sale of iPods!". The IMDR recommended, however, that DAB listeners should take advantage of the LfK's offer of a voucher... "to go and buy themselves a second DAB radio!"

June 28th 2007
A new Service is reported to have popped up on NOWDIGITAL KENT. Traffic Radio is reported to be running at 48 kbit/s in Mono (LSF).

June 28th 2007
A new Service is reported to have popped up on NOW Norwich. Traffic Radio is reported to be running at 48 kbit/s in Mono (LSF).

June 28th 2007
A new Service is reported to have popped up on NOW Cornwall. Traffic Radio is reported to be running at 48 kbit/s in Mono (LSF).

June 28th 2007
A new Service is reported to have popped up on NOW Coventry. Traffic Radio is reported to be running at 48 kbit/s in Mono (LSF).

June 28th 2007
A new Service has popped up on NOW Wolverhamptn. Traffic Radio is reported to be running at 48 kbit/s in Mono (LSF).

June 28th 2007
A new Service has popped up on CE Birmingham. Traffic Radio is reported to be running at 48 kbit/s in Mono (LSF).

June 28th 2007
A new Service has popped up on EMAP South Yorks. Traffic Radio is reported to be running at 48 kbit/s in Mono (LSF). The Service SMASH HITS! is reported to have ceased.

June 28th 2007
A new Service has popped up on NOW Cambridge. Traffic Radio is reported to be running at 48 kbit/s in Mono (LSF).

June 28th 2007
A new Service has popped up on EMAP Liverpool. Traffic Radio is reported to be running at 48 kbit/s in Mono (LSF). The Service SMASH HITS! is reported to have ceased.

June 28th 2007
A new Service has popped up on CE Manchester. Traffic Radio is reported to be running at 48 kbit/s in Mono (LSF). The Service SMASH HITS! is reported to have ceased.

June 28th 2007
A new Service has popped up on NOWDIGITALSUSSEX. Traffic Radio is reported to be running at 48 kbit/s in Mono (LSF). The Service Chill is reported to be running at the lower bitrate of 80 kbit/s.

June 28th 2007
A new Service has popped up on NOW Nottingham. Traffic Radio is reported to be running at 48 kbit/s in Mono (LSF). The Service Capital Disney has ceased.

June 28th 2007
A new Service has popped up on CE London. Traffic Radio is reported to be running at 48 kbit/s in Mono (LSF).

June 28th 2007
A new Service is reported to have popped up on NOW S&C. Traffic Radio is reported to be running at 48 kbit/s in Mono (LSF).

June 27th 2007
The Swiss Federal Council (Bundesrat) has granted public-service broadcaster SRG/SSR permission to establish two new radio services which will be broadcast exclusively on DAB. DRS 4 News will be a 24 hour news and information channel. World Radio Switzerland will be an English-language service based on an existing service provided for the international community in and around Geneva. World Radio Geneva is a partnership between the SRG/SSR and the BBC. Both new services will be transmitted on the forthcoming second ensemble for the German-speaking region. In the coming weeks, the Bundesrat will choose between the 18 applications from private broadcasters to occupy the eight remaining programme slots on the multiplex, all of which will be unique to DAB in that region.

June 27th 2007
A new Service has popped up on NOW Bristol. Traffic Radio is a traffic information service from the Highways Agency.

June 22nd 2007
UK TII table updated.

June 22nd 2007
Switzerland TII table updated.

June 22nd 2007
The BBC has brought into service five new transmitters on Block 12B. Chatton extends coverage of BBC National DAB in Alnwick, along the Northumberland coast and in north Tyneside. Sergeant's Law (aka Gleniffer Braes) improves coverage in West Glasgow and Dumbarton. Puttock's Hill serves Bury St. Edmunds. Stoke Holy Cross extends coverage in Norfolk, including Norwich. Fishponds Hill improves coverage in Mansfield. Newhaven extends coverage in and around Newhaven and Peacehaven. Further new sites are scheduled for the summer including a transmitter on the Isle of Man.

June 18th 2007
Swiss public-service broadcaster SRG/SSR has brought into service a new transmitter on Block 12C. Einsiedeln Chummenweid extends coverage of the ensemble for the German-speaking region, SRG SSR - DRS, in the region of Einsiedeln. The new site should be considered as being under test and as such liable to interruptions, periods of reduced power and other effects before entering official public service in a few weeks' time.

June 18th 2007
There will be a major reorganisation of DAB in Norway on July 2nd. From 11:00, Norwegian time, the national ensemble on Block 12D will carry just NRK Alltid Nyheter and NRK Sámi Radio, plus the commercial services P4, P4 Bandit and Moox Radio. The main services from public-service broadcaster NRK will be found on the regional ensembles which have been reorganised. Many transmitter powers will be increased and new transmitters are being brought into service. Full details on the NRK website.

June 14th 2007
Swiss public-service broadcaster SRG/SSR has brought into service a new transmitter on Block 12C. Sirnach extends coverage of the ensemble for the German-speaking region, SRG SSR - DRS, in the region of Wil-Matzingen in Kanton St. Gallen. The new site should be considered as being under test and as such liable to interruptions, periods of reduced power and other effects before entering official public service in a few weeks' time.

June 13th 2007
The United Kingdom regulator Ofcom has advertised the local DAB franchise for North Yorkshire. The ensemble will operate on two frequencies, Block 10B (211.648 MHz) in the west and Block 10C (213.360 MHz) in the east, raising the possibility (at least technically) that the two could operate as separate ensembles, as in Swindon & West Wilts and Plymouth & Cornwall. Capacity equivalent to a 128 kbit/s service at Protection Level 3 is reserved for BBC Radio York. Closing date for applications is September 12th 2007. Ofcom intends to announce a decision within four months of the closing date.

June 12th 2007
The UK regulator Ofcom has awarded the first of the new local DAB licences to Now Digital Ltd, a wholly-owned subsidiary of GCap. The ensemble for Hertfordshire, Bedfordshire and Buckinghamshire will run on Block 10D (215.072 MHz). Capacity is reserved for the local BBC radio service, Three Counties Radio.
Now Digital Ltd proposes to provide eight audio services in addition to the BBC service:-

Now Digital proposes to begin broadcasting with 8 audio services by July 2008 using seven transmitters which it estimates will cover 87.2 of the adult population: Bow Brickhill, Hemel Hempstead, Hertford Heath, High Wycombe, Sandy Heath and Zouches Farm along with either Stevenage or Brookmans Park. This will be the first ensemble to operate on one of the new UK frequencies allocated to DAB outside the previous grouping and should provide opportunities to explore the propagation of DAB in enhanced atmospheric conditions until other ensembles pop up on this and adjacent frequency blocks.

June 7th 2007
The Australian Communications and Media Authority has granted an extension to the current Eureka 147 digital radio trials in Melbourne and Sydney. In Melbourne, the test transmissions, operated by Broadcast Australia, will run until 30 June 2008 and the Sydney trial being conducted by Commercial Radio Australia until 31 December 2008. The ACMA has invited applications to operate additional Eureka 147 trials in Melbourne and to test other systems in other areas of Australia using the MF and VHF bands. A summary report of the trial results to date is available for download from the ACMA website.

June 7th 2007
On the Block 11B ensemble DRg London, the Data Service test.london.3 is reported to running at the higher bitrate of 24 kbit/s.

June 7th 2007
The UK regulator Ofcom has received two applications for the Herefordshire & Worcestershire local DAB licence. The ensemble will run on Block 10B (211.648 MHz). Capacity is reserved for BBC Hereford & Worcester.

Now Digital proposes to begin broadcasting by September 2008 from three transmitters, which it estimates will cover 82.5% by population of the licensed area.

June 6th 2007
On the Block 12C ensemble DAB Ireland Mux1, either the test services have ceased and been replaced with new services or the test services have been labelled. At the moment it is not clear which has taken place.RTE Gold is running at 128 kbit/s in Joint Stereo. PTy="Oldies Music"RTE 2XM is running at 128 kbit/s in Joint Stereo. PTy="Pop Music"RTE Digital News is running at 48 kbit/s in Mono. PTy="News"RTE Junior is running at 80 kbit/s in Mono. PTy="Children's Progs"RTE Choice is running at 80 kbit/s in Mono (silent). PTy="Varied Speech"Service 10 is running at 80 kbit/s in Mono (silent). PTy="Sport"

June 4th 2007
On NOWDIGITALSUSSEX, the bitrate of the Service Juice Digital is reported to have dropped from 128 kbit/s to 64 kbit/s Mono.

June 3rd 2007D-PLUS, the Secondary Component to Deutschlandfunk, appears to have become the subject of controversy. The State Treaty between the Länder restricts DeutschlandRadio to two national radio services, Deutschlandfunk and Deutschlandradio Kultur. The Deutscher Depeschendienst quotes Martin Stadelmaier of the Rheinland-Pfalz Staatskanzlei as saying that from a purely legal standpoint, the new service, consisting of features and reports already broadcast, and running in parallel to the main programme, should be regulated as though it were a completely separate service. Consequently, the transmission of a third service has no legal basis. According to the report, the Land Hessen, whose turn it is to provide regulatory supervision on behalf of all the Länder, is to examine the state of affairs. [Wohnort comments: Within this report can be found the germ of the reason why Germany has not so far been able to emulate the British roll-out of DAB.]

June 3rd 2007
On the L-band ensemble LG FRANKFURT M., the Service RADIO FORTUNA is reported to have fallen silent.

June 3rd 2007
On the L-band ensemble Regio ULM, the Service WILANTIS is reported to have fallen silent. Wohnort suspects the same is true also on Regio FREIBURG

June 1st 2007
A new Service has popped up on the Block 12C ensemble BAND III HESSEN. Radio WeWeWe (Welle West Wetterau) is a special event service coinciding with the annual Hessentag, being held this year in Butzbach.

June 1st 2007
On the L-band ensemble LG FRANKFURT M., the Service WILANTIS is reported to have ceased.

June 1st 2007
Would the last one out please switch off the lights. On the Baden-Württemberg L-band ensembles Regio MANNHEIM, Regio KARLSRUHE and Regio STUTTGART, the Service WILANTIS is reported to have fallen silent. This development means that the ensemble Regio MANNHEIM is now to all intents and purposes empty, all Services having now ceased or fallen silent.

June 1st 2007
And now the latest exciting developments in Canadian digital radio:- In Toronto, all of the Services on the Block L8 ensemble CH___8 have sprung back into life after a number of days of silence. On the Block L9 ensemble CHANNEL 9, the Services CJMR and CJYE continue to be silent. The Services CFMX and CIRV are out of phase and the Service CIAO is broadcasting with audio on the A-leg (Left channel) only. The B-leg (Right channel) is silent.

May 30th 2007
Swiss public-service broadcaster SRG/SSR has brought into service a new transmitter on Block 12C. Oberiberg extends coverage of the ensemble for the German-speaking region, SRG SSR - DRS, in the region of Unteriberg and Oberiberg. The new site should be considered as being under test and as such liable to interruptions, periods of reduced power and other effects before entering official public service in a few weeks' time.

May 29th 2007
Australia's Federal Parliament has passed legislation which permits the start of a public service of digital radio by January 1st 2009. The broadcasts are expected to begin initially in Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Adelaide, Perth and Hobart. Commercial Radio Australia expects current trial DAB broadcasts in Sydney to cease shortly and to be replaced with transmissions using the new additional codecs AAC and AAC+.

May 29th 2007
The Maltese website Maltameter reports that the country will use DAB+ and the new additional codecs, AAC and AAC+ when digital radio is launched. The company Digi B Network was awarded four frequency blocks by auction in 2006. The start of transmissions is dependent on frequency coordination with neighbouring countries, mainly Italy, and the availability of receivers capable of receiving the new variant of DAB. More...

May 29th 2007
A new transmitter has been added to the Block 11D SFN in England and Wales, Digital1 Network. Mt. Vernon improves coverage in the area south of Watford.

May 27th 2007
On the Baden-Württemberg L-band ensembles Regio FREIBURG, Regio KARLSRUHE, Regio MANNHEIM, Regio STUTTGART and Regio ULM, the Service Radyo METROPOL is reported to have ceased. On Regio STUTTGART, the Service Radio Aktiv-FM is reported to have fallen silent.

May 27th 2007
And now the latest exciting developments in Canadian digital radio:- In Toronto, ALL of the Services on the Block L8 ensemble CH___8 are silent. On the Block L9 ensemble CHANNEL 9, the Services CJMR and CJYE are silent. The Services CFMX and CIRV are out of phase and the Service CIAO is broadcasting with audio on the A-leg (Left channel) only. The B-leg (Right channel) is silent.

May 27th 2007
In Norway, the regional ensemble transmitters in the Drammen area have been reassigned from Block 12C to Block 13A and now transmit the regional multiplex Region Østfjells. The move means that all the regional transmitters in Buskerud, Vestfold and Telemark now broadcast on Block 13A. The other transmitters in the region migrated last year. A new Block 13A transmitter has been brought into service at Kongsberg. A reorganisation of the DAB multiplexes is anticipated in July. The national Block 12D ensemble Norge Riks is expected to carry mainly commercial services, while the public-service NRK stations are expected to be carried mainly on the regional ensembles. The Service NRK Barn has been relabelled NRK Super. The weather service met OSLOFJORD has been relabelled Båtvær. The accented characters may not display correctly on some receivers.

May 26th 2007
On BBC National DAB, BBC Radio 5 Live has been relabelled BBC Radio 5Live. BBC 5LIVE SportX has been relabelled BBC R5LiveSportX. BBC 6 Music has been relabelled BBC Radio 6Music. BBC 7 has been relabelled BBC Radio 7. BBCAsian Network has been relabelled BBC AsianNetwork. BBCWorld Service has been relabelled BBC WorldService. 1Xtra - BBC has been relabelled BBC Radio 1Xtra.

May 26th 2007
A new ensemble is reported to have popped up on Block 5A in the Czech Republic. Bitrates on the ensemble in the Příbram region are reported to range from 256 kbit/s down to 48 kbit/s. The broadcasts are understood to be a month-long trial. Further tests in L-band are expected to follow.

May 25th 2007
The DAB test transmissions in Kuwait are reported to be using Block 11B. Eight audio services are reported.

May 21st 2007
A new Service has popped up on the Block 12A ensemble in the Italian-speaking region of Switzerland, SRG SSR I01. Radio Svizzera Classica is a classical music service with presentation in Italian and based on the bilingual French-German service Radio Swiss Classic, which has now ceased on SRG SSR I01 but continues elsewhere in Switzerland. Radio Svizzera Classica is the first service launched for broadcast in Switzerland exclusively on DAB. Others are in preparation.

May 15th 2007
Swiss public-service broadcaster SRG/SSR has brought into service two new transmitters in Graubünden. Versam extends coverage of the Block 12C ensemble for the German-speaking region, SRG SSR - DRS, around Arezen, Versam, Trin and Mulin. Medel Curaglia Vergera extends coverage to the upper Surselva, Disentis and Curaglia. The new sites should be considered as being under test and as such liable to interruptions, periods of reduced power and other effects before entering official public service in a few weeks' time.

May 12th 2007
Swiss public-service broadcaster SRG/SSR has brought into service a new transmitter on Block 12C. Balsthal extends coverage of the ensemble for the German-speaking region, SRG SSR - DRS, around Solothurn and to the north through Balsthal as far as Matzendorf. The new site should be considered as being under test and as such liable to interruptions, periods of reduced power and other effects before entering official public service in a few weeks' time.

May 12th 2007
On the München Block 11D ensemble Muenchen BR, the DMB service Das Erste is reported to have ceased and been replaced by Bayerisches FS, which has migrated from Block 12A. In turn, the Block 12A transmission on Muenchen IRT is reported to have been replaced by BR-alpha. The reason for the shuffle is that Das Erste is now broadcast on the national DMB ensemble watcha.

May 10th 2007
Swiss public-service broadcaster SRG/SSR has brought into service a new transmitter on Block 12C. Fribourg Cordast extends coverage of the ensemble for the German-speaking region, SRG SSR - DRS, to the area around Fribourg as far as Laupen. A suitable site, also in the vicinity of Fribourg, is currently being sought for a second DAB transmitter to broadcast the Block 12A ensemble of the French-speaking region SRG SSR / F. When the new site is brought into service, both regional ensembles will be receivable in this linguistic overlap area.

May 10th 2007
The first television channel of Germany, ARD, has popped up on the DMB ensemble watcha and is available free and unencrypted.

May 10th 2007
The UK regulator Ofcom has received two applications for the Northeast Wales and West Cheshire local DAB licence. The ensemble will run on Block 10D (215.072 MHz). Capacity is reserved for BBC Radio Wales and BBC Radio Cymru.

Now Digital proposes to begin broadcasting by September 2008 from two transmitters, which it estimates will cover 91.8% by population of the licensed area.

May 9th 2007
The United Kingdom regulator Ofcom has advertised the local DAB franchise for Oxfordshire. The ensemble will operate on Block 10B (211.648 MHz). Capacity equivalent to a 128 kbit/s service at Protection Level 3 is reserved for BBC Radio Oxford. Closing date for applications is August 7th 2007. Ofcom intends to announce a decision within four months of the closing date.

May 9th 2007
The United Kingdom regulator Ofcom has made changes to its planned timetable for the advertisement of new local DAB franchise areas. The planned licence for York & Scarborough has been replaced with a licence for North Yorkshire which will be advertised in June. The planned licences for Guildford and for Reigate & Crawley have been combined and will be advertised as a single licence designed to cover principally the county of Surrey and parts of the counties of West Sussex and East Sussex. This licence will be advertised in September.

May 8th 2007
Snapshot of the Block 12C ensemble BAND III HESSEN updated.

May 2nd 2007
The land-wide ensemble Bayern is expected to migrate from Block 12D to 10D. The move should be accompanied by a 10-fold increase in transmitter power. The plan is revealed in the latest frequency coordination lists of the Bundesnetzagentur, and has been picked up by several German websites. Main sites, currently limited to 1kW because of restrictions imposed on Channel 12 by the German Defence Ministry, will generally increase to 10kW. Some smaller sites will also rise to 10kW while a few others will rise to only 5kW. The migration is unlikely to be imminent, as Channel 10 is still being used from some sites for analogue television, and in a couple of instances DVB-T.

May 2nd 2007
Altogether 29 applications have been received to participate in the forthcoming DVB-H trials in Germany. The public-service broadcasters have not submitted applications, but it is their view that they are entitled to a proportion of the capacity which must be available to viewers free of charge and unencrypted. The Landesmedienanstalten have said they will take into account such access guarantees for public-service broadcasters when selecting an operator for the trials.
Applicants:

Anbietergemeinschaft BIG 5

Contcast GmbH, Berlin

Dornier Medien GmbH & Co. KG, München

Home Shopping Europe GmbH & Co. KG, München

KG Hamburg 1 Beteiligungs GmbH & Co.

Kommunikation & Wirtschaft GmbH, Oldenburg

MediaManagement S.W., Mannheim

MFD Mobiles Fernsehen Deutschland GmbH, Köln

NEVA Media GmbH, Berlin

n-tv Nachrichtenfernsehen GmbH & Co. KG, Berlin

O 2 Germany GmbH & Co. OHG, München

Premiere Fernsehen GmbH & Co. KG, Unterföhring

ProSiebenSat.1 Media AG, Unterföhring

Radio 97,1 Megaherz Hamburg GmbH

RCD REGIOCAST DIGITAL GmbH & Co. KG, Mannheim

RegioOnlineGmbH, Hannover

RTL Disney Fernsehen GmbH & Co. KG, Köln

RTL Radio Deutschland GmbH, Berlin

RTL SHOP GmbH, Hannover

RTL Television GmbH, Köln

RTL2 Fernsehen GmbH & Co. KG, Grünwald

Soundtrackfm GmbH & Co. KG, Hamburg

T Mobile Deutschland GmbH, Bonn

Telefonbuchverlag Hans Müller GmbH & Co. KG, Nürnberg

Traumpartner TV GmbH, Köln

UFA Film & Produktion GmbH, Potsdam

UNITCOM GmbH, Berlin

Vodafone D2 GmbH, Düsseldorf

VOX Film- und Fernseh-GmbH & Co. KG, Köln

April 30th 2007
On the Block 12B ensemble DAB Baden-Wuert., the last-remaining commercial broadcaster, HIT-R. ANTENNE 1, and its part-time Secondary Component ANTENNE1 INFODIG are reported to have ceased, leaving only public-service broadcasters on Baden-Württemberg's Band III ensemble.

April 30th 2007
On the Block 8C ensemble Berlin K8, the Service DWradio DAB is reported to have ceased.

April 27th 2007
WorldDMB reports that DAB test transmissions are taking place in Kuwait. According to WorldDMB, the pilot broadcasts from Liberation Tower in Band III cover most of the country.

April 27th 2007
WorldDMB reports that the Netherlands regulator will advertise DAB capacity in Band III and L-band in May.

April 27th 2007
On the L-band ensembles Regio MANNHEIM and Regio ULM, the Service TRUCK Radio is reported to have ceased.

April 27th 2007
And now the latest Canadian developments in digital radio:- In Toronto, the Service Mojo 640 on the Block L8 ensemble CH___8 has sprung into life again following several days of silence. On the same ensemble, the Service Q107 continues to be silent, while the service Jack92.5 currently carries audio.... from Q107.

April 24th 2007
Swiss public-service broadcaster SRG/SSR has brought into service a new transmitter in the Italian-speaking region, Svizzera Italiana. Pizzo Castello extends coverage of the Block 12A ensemble SRG SSR I01 into the Valle Maggia and Val Bavona. The new site will be under test for a few weeks and as such will be liable to interruptions, periods of reduced power and other odd effects before entering official public service. Pizzo Castello is the 12th transmitter for the Italian-speaking region, so far all of them are in Ticino.

April 20th 2007
Swiss public-service broadcaster SRG/SSR has brought into service a new transmitter in the French-speaking region, Suisse Romande. Chamossaire extends coverage of the Block 12A ensemble SRG SSR / F to the area around Champéry and Les Crosets. The new site will be under test for a few weeks and as such will be liable to interruptions, periods of reduced power and other odd effects before entering official public service.

April 19th 2007
The BBC has brought into service a new transmitter on the Block 12B ensemble BBC National DAB. Acklam Wold improves reception in York and extends coverage to the north east, including Malton and Pickering.

April 18th 2007
And now the latest Canadian developments in digital radio:- In Toronto, the Block L3 ensemble CHANNEL3 and the Block L4 ensemble CHANNEL 4 have popped up again following a week's absence. On the Block L8 ensemble CH___8, the Services Mojo 640 and Q107 are silent, while the service Jack92.5 currently carries audio.... from Q107.

April 17th 2007
Digital One has announced a building programme of ten transmitters to be added to the UK national commercial DAB mutliplex Digital1 Network. The new sites will be Selkirk and Riddings Hill in the Scottish Borders; Whitehaven and Workington in Cumbria; Bridlington, Scarborough and Whitby on the Yorkshire coast; Chesterfield in Derbyshire and Newhaven and Eastbourne on the South Coast.

April 17th 2007
The UK regulator Ofcom has received one application for the Derbyshire local DAB licence. The ensemble will run on Block 10B (211.648 MHz). Capacity is reserved for BBC Radio Derby.

Now Digital proposes to begin broadcasting by July 2008 from five transmitters: Chesterfield, Drum Hill, Lichfield, Stanton Moor and Whiteborough. At the time the licence was advertised, Ofcom announced that it intended to reach a decision within four months of the closing date.

April 17th 2007
The UK regulator Ofcom has proposed simplifying the regulation of analogue radio to bring it more into line with the present regulation of DAB. Existing analogue licences will expire between 2009 and 2027 according to the date of issue. Ofcom has launched a consultation on the possible methods of achieving common end dates for all AM and FM licenses, including extending existing licences for an indefinite period subject to two years' notice of termination and removing the automatic renewal for analogue licenses of services that secure carriage on DAB. The consultation period closes on June 29th. Ofcom proposes to conduct two separate reviews of all analogue radio: a review of AM (medium wave) in 2009 and a review of FM spectrum in 2012 or when digital listening has reached 50%, whichever is the sooner.

April 16th 2007
On the Netherlands ensemble Publieke Omroep, the Service Concertzender has been relabelled Radio 6.

April 16th 2007
In Toronto, the Block L3 ensemble CHANNEL3 and the Block L4 ensemble CHANNEL 4 have ceased.

April 16th 2007
The Block L6 CBC ensemble in Toronto has been relabelled CBC DAB. The Service RC Premiere has been relabelled Premier chaine and has dropped to 96 kbit/s Mono. CBC Radio 1 has dropped to 96 kbit/s Mono.

April 16th 2007
On the Block LG ensemble DRSaar 2 the Service rockland radio is reported to have resumed broadcasting audio following a weekend of silence.

April 14th 2007
A new Service has popped up on the Block LG ensemble DRSaar 2. RADIO SALUE is reported to be running at 128 kbit/s Joint Stereo. The Service roadRadio is reported to have ceased. The Service rockland radio is reported to have fallen silent.

April 11th 2007
Snapshot updated of VDL PARIS in the afternoon/evening configuration.

April 10th 2007
A new Service has popped up on VDL PARIS. The Service WorldRadio Paris is running at 160 kbit/s in Joint Stereo. Snapshot updated.

April 9th 2007UTV-EMAP W.YORKS Snapshot updated. The Service Panjab Radio was observed to be running in Mono LSF.

April 5th 2007
On MXR WestMidlands, the Service Smooth (CCC7) has ceased. Saga 105.7 FM (C4A8) has been relabelled SMOOTH Radio.

April 5th 2007
The website of Canadian publication Broadcast Dialogue features a lengthy analysis of the current sorry state of digital radio broadcasting in Canada. DAB effectively stalled a long time ago and some transmissions have ceased. Now alternative forms of digital radio, Ibiquity's IBOC system, DRM and subscription-based satellite radio are competing for attention - and spectrum.

April 5th 2007
In Sweden, the regional ensemble for Stockholm has popped up again on Block 12C after an absence of a number of years. Eight audio services from Denmark are being relayed to the Stockholm area from a transmitter at Nacka: Radio 100FM, Radio 100 FM Soft, TV2 Radio, DR Barracuda, DR Online, DR P1, DR P2 Plus and DR P3. These test transmissions are scheduled to last two weeks.

April 5th 2007UTV-Emap Stoke listing corrected. Snapshot updated.

April 5th 2007
Snapshot of the Spanish ensemble MF2 updated. Since the last Snapshot was taken, the SIds have been reallocated.

April 5th 2007
On MXR West & Wales, the Service Smooth has been relabelled SMOOTH Radio.

April 4th 2007
The United Kingdom regulator Ofcom has advertised the local DAB franchise for Northamptonshire. The ensemble will operate on Block 10C (213.360 MHz). Capacity equivalent to a 128 kbit/s service at Protection Level 3 is reserved for BBC Radio Northampton. Closing date for applications is July 3rd 2007. Ofcom intends to announce a decision within four months of the closing date.

April 4th 2007
On the Block 12B ensemble DAB Baden-Wuert., the Service BIG-FM has ceased.

April 4th 2007
On the Block LI ensemble Regio MANNHEIM and the Block LC ensemble Regio ULM, the Service sunshine live has ceased.

April 4th 2007
On the Block LI ensemble Regio MANNHEIM, the Block LG ensemble Regio FREIBURG and the Blocks LA and LG ensemble Regio KARLSRUHE, the Service RADIO REGENBOGEN (aka Radio Regenbogen) has ceased.

April 4th 2007
On the Block 12D ensemble DRN Sch-Holstein, the Services delta radio DAB and R.SH auf DAB have ceased.

March 29th 2007
The UK regulator Ofcom has received two applications for the second national commercial DAB franchise. The ensemble will use Block 11A (216.928 MHz). The licence is designed to cover the whole of the United Kingdom, the Channel Islands and the Isle of Man, subject to international frequency coordination. The applications reveal that certain radio services, presently broadcast on local ensembles, have national ambitions, and that the BBC would like one of its national services to migrate to the second commercial ensemble to release capacity on its own ensemble.

4 Digital Group proposes to begin broadcasting with 8 national services and at least 9 podcast providers within 12 months of the licence being awarded using a network of 174 transmitters covering 86.6% of the adult population. Two further audio services would launch at the as soon as possible thereafter and withing the following 11 months.

National Grid Wireless (wholly-owned susidiary of National Grid)
proposes to broadcast twelve audio services and a BBC service:-

National Grid Wireless proposes to begin broadcasting 12 audio services and a BBC service on February 29th 2008 using a network of 40 transmitters with which it intends to cover 71% of the adult population, rising to 116 transmitters and 81% coverage by the 2nd quarter of 2009.

Ofcom intends to announce a decision on the awarding of the licence within four months.

March 29th 2007
The UK regulator Ofcom has received two applications for the Hertfordshire, Bedfordshire and Buckinghamshire franchise. The ensemble will run on Block 10D (215.072 MHz). Capacity is reserved for the local BBC radio service, Three Counties Radio.

MuxCo Home Counties Ltd (MuxCo Ltd, Local Radio Company, Adventure Radio Ltd, Absolute Radio International, Shadow Radio Holdings) proposes to provide nine audio services in addition to the BBC service:-

MuxCo Home Counties proposes to begin broadcasting with 8 audio services on April 1st 2008 using seven transmitters which it estimates will cover 89.5% of the adult population: Bow Brickhill, Hemel Hempstead, High Wycombe, Sandy Heath, Zouches Farm Quainton Hill and Brookmans Park. A further audio service will launch in 2010.

Now Digital Ltd (wholly-owned subsidiary of GCap) proposes to provide
eight audio services in addition to the BBC service:-

Now Digital proposes to begin broadcasting with 8 audio services by July 2008 using seven transmitters which it estimates will cover 87.2 of the adult population: Bow Brickhill, Hemel Hempstead, Hertford Heath, High Wycombe, Sandy Heath and Zouches Farm along with either Stevenage or Brookmans Park.

March 28th 2007
Swiss public-service broadcaster SRG/SSR has brought into service a new transmitter on the Block 12C SFN SRG SSR - DRS. Bözingenberg serves Biel and the surrounding area and replaces a transmitter at Jutzhubel which has been taken out of service. The new site will be under test for about four weeks and liable to interruptions, periods of reduced power and other odd effects before entering full public service next month.

March 27th 2007
The Service 3C, Cool Country has ceased on all ensembles in England, Scotland and Northern Ireland that carried it. Score Ayr, ScoreEDINBURGH and ScoreGLASGOW Snapshots updated.

March 27th 2007
A new Service is reported to have popped up on MXR WestMidlands. jazzfm.com is reported to be running at 128 kbit/s Joint Stereo. The Service Saga 105.7 FM is reported to have ceased.

March 27th 2007
On CE Birmingham, the Service Century is reported to have ceased.

March 27th 2007
Swiss public-service broadcaster SRG/SSR has brought into service two new transmitters in the Italian-speaking region. Lostallo extends coverage of SRG SSR I01 into the lower part of the Mesolcina valley. San Bernardino serves the upper part of the valley up to the San Bernardino pass. The new sites will be under test for about four weeks and liable to interruptions, periods of reduced power and other odd effects before entering full public service next month.

March 27th 2007
Two new transmitters have been added to the Block 11D SFN in England and Wales, Digital1 Network. Stoke d'Abernon improves coverage in the area northwest of Leatherhead. Brookmans Park strengthens coverage in the area north of Potters Bar.

March 27th 2007
On DRg London, the Service The Storm has ceased. A new Service has popped up. PremierChristian is running at 80 kbit/s in Mono. Snapshot updated. Snapshot from 04.03.2007 corrected.

March 27th 2007
On MXR West & Wales, the Service Smooth has been relabelled SMOOTH Radio.

March 27th 2007
On NOW Nottingham, the Service Saga 106.6 FM has been relabelled Smooth Radio.

March 27th (3)
On NOW Bristol, NOWBournemouth, NOWDIGITAL C&N, NOWDIGITALSUSSEX, NOW Reading and NOWWiltshire, the Service FUN radio is reported to have been relabelled FUN radio kids. It is likely that the relabelling has been rolled out across all the NOW Digital ensembles where this service appears.

March 26th 2007
On the Block 12C ensemble DAB Ireland Mux1, the Service Today FM has ceased. The Service continues on DAB Ireland Mux2.

March 26th 2007
Swiss public-service broadcaster SRG/SSR has brought into service a new transmitter on Block 12C. Eggiwil Hinterer Girsgrat extends coverage of SRG SSR - DRS to Signau, Eggiwil und Röthenbach. The new site will be under test for about four weeks and liable to interruptions, periods of reduced power and other odd effects before entering full public service next month.

March 26th 2007
On ScoreEDINBURGH, the Service Saga Radio has ceased. A new Service has popped up. 96.3 Rock Radio is running at 128 kbit/s, Joint Stereo. Snapshot updated.

March 26th 2007
On ScoreGLASGOW, the Service SAGA 105.2fm has ceased. A new Service has popped up. jazzfm.com is running at 128 kbit/s, Joint Stereo. Snapshot updated.

March 26th 2007
On CE London, the Service Century London has ceased. A new Service has popped up. REAL is running at 128 kbit/s, Joint Stereo. The Service Capital Radio has been relabelled CAPITAL. Snapshot updated.

March 26th 2007
On Switch London, the Service Smooth FM has been relabelled SMOOTH RADIO .

March 25th 2007
Snapshot added of the new Block 12A ensemble DAB Ireland Mux2. Nearly all the Services on the Block 12C ensemble DAB Ireland Mux1 are running with new SIds. Snapshot updated.

March 25th 2007
A new Service has popped up on UTV-Emap Stoke. UCB UK CHRISTIAN is running at 96 kbit/s in Mono.

March 25th 2007
On Switch Scotland, the Service Smooth FM has been relabelled SMOOTH RADIO. Snapshot updated.

March 25th 2007
On MXR North West, the Service Smooth has been relabelled SMOOTH Radio. Snapshot updated.

March 25th 2007
The Hessische Landesanstalt für privaten Rundfunk has joined other Landesmedienanstalten in issuing a call for applications to conduct DVB-H trials in Bands IV/V. The Landesmedienanstalten are coordinating the advertisement process. Capacity for approximately 16 services is on offer, to be carried on two multiplexes, one each for Nord Hessen and Sud Hessen respectively. The tests are intended to last until 2011, with the possibility of an extension of a further two years. The closing date for applications in Hessen is May 21st 2007.

March 22nd 2007
The European Commissioner for Information Society and Media, Viviane Reding, has voiced strong support for DVB-H to be the European standard for "mobile television". Speaking at CeBIT in Hannover, she criticised the fragmented and divergent way in which national regulators have been licensing mobile television services. She expressed a strong preference for DVB-H as the delivery technology and is prepared to use legal means to "make sure that mobile TV develops efficiently and on a level playing field." Her speech has been roundly denounced by the WorldDMB Forum.Commissioner Reding's speech (EU Press Release)WorldDMB Reaction (Press Release)

March 22ndhSwitch London Snapshot updated.

March 22ndh
The Bayerische Landeszentrale für neue Medien (BLM) has extended by one year the licences of the DAB services Rock Antenne and Radio Galaxy, both of which broadcast on the Block 12D ensemble Bayern. The BLM states that from next year, additional capacity negotiated at RRC06 will become available for a second land-wide ensemble. Negotiations are underway with the German Defence Ministry over a possible increase to transmitted powers in Channel 12, currently restriced to protect military frequencies. Also still open is the future division of capacity between the public-service and the private broadcasters. For all these reasons, the BLM decided that the concessions of Rock Antenne and Radio Galaxy should be extended by only one year.

March 22ndh
The Bayerische Landeszentrale für neue Medien (BLM) has extended by four years the broadcasting licences of the following local DAB services:-

Augsburg
Radio KÖ
Smart Radio
Fantasy Aktuell
Radio Augsburg
Radio Fantasy Bayern

Nürnberg
Pirate Radio
Vil Radio
Meilensteine Medien e.V. for its religious service
Radio Energy Nürnberg
Radio Fantasy Bayern

In Ingolstadt, the broadcasting licence of Cool Radio has been extended by just one year.

The local ensembles in München and Nürnberg are already broadcast in Band III. The Augsburg and Ingolstadt ensembles will migrate from L-band to Band III when the frequency coordination has been completed.
It is to be left to the broadcasters to decide whether to broadcast their services in MPEG 2 or in AAC+, however broadcasters (except Cool Radio) will be guaranteed a further extension of four years if they, with the agreement of the BLM, broadcast their services in AAC+.

March 19th 2007
The Medienanstalt Sachsen-Anhalt has joined other Landesmedienanstalten in issuing a call for applications to conduct DVB-H trials in Bands IV/V. The Landesmedienanstalten are coordinating the advertisement process. The tests are intended to begin early in 2008 and to last for two to three years, depending upon which advertisement one reads. In the case of this one, interested parties have approx. four weeks remaining in which to apply.

March 18th 2007
A second DAB ensemble has popped up in the Republic of Ireland. DAB Ireland Mux2 is reported to be broadcasting six audio services on Block 12A. Five are reported to be silent currently:-

Today FM

Phantom FM - silent

Q102 - silent

News Talk - silent - in Mono

FM104 - silent

98FM - silent

March 15th 2007
The United Kingdom regulator Ofcom has published a revised timetable for the advertisement of local DAB licences. The proposed advertisement for Pembrokeshire & Carmarthenshire has been replaced with one covering a much larger licence area. The new licence area, Mid & West Wales, will cover Ceredigion and Powys in addition to Pembrokeshire and Carmarthenshire and will allow the BBC services reserved capacity on the ensemble, Radio Wales and Radio Cymru, to cover as much of Wales as possible as soon as possible. The advertisement is scheduled for August 2007.

March 14th 2007
Commercial Radio Australia, representing over 98% of the country's commercial radio broadcasters, has announced that it will use DAB+ when digital radio is launched as a public service. Currently transmissions are taking place as trials only. Commercial Radio says the new AAC+ codec will enable broadcasters to choose between broadcasting superior audio, or broadcasting more services, or broadcasting fewer services but with added features such as text or images. Commercial Radio says it is working with public-service broadcasters ABC and SBS to test DAB+ to ensure there will be no transmission or other technical issues. The Federal Government is working on legislation to regulate digital radio and a public launch is expected on January 1st 2009 in Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Adelaide, Perth and Hobart.

March 7th 2007
On the Block 12C Netherlands ensemble Publieke Omroep, the Service Audio Test has ceased. The Service Concertzender, whose bitrate dropped when Audio Test popped up, remains at 128 kbit/s.

March 7th 2007
The United Kingdom regulator Ofcom has advertised the local DAB franchise for Herefordshire and Worcestershire. The ensemble will operate on Block 10B (211.648 MHz). Capacity equivalent to a 128 kbit/s service at Protection Level 3 is reserved for BBC Hereford & Worcester. Closing date for applications is June 6th 2007. Ofcom intends to announce a decision within four months of the closing date.

March 7th 2007
Various media regulators in Germany have begun advertising for applications to conduct nationwide trials using DVB-H (ETSI EN 302 304) at UHF (Bands IV and V). The Landesmedienanstalten are coordinating the advertisement process. The tests are intended to begin early in 2008 and to last for two years. The Landesanstalt für Kommunication Baden-Württemberg, the Thüringer Landesmedienanstalt and the Niedersächsische Landesmedienanstalt have all issued similar calls. In Berlin, where pilot DVB-H transmissions are already taking place, the Medienanstalt Berlin-Brandenburg has additionally advertised UHF channel 39 (expected to migrate as a consequence of RRC06) to operate alongside the national tests with the intention of widening the choice of services on offer. The closing date in Thüringen is April 13th; in Baden-Württember April 14th and in Niedersachsen April 16th. The closing date for the Berlin-Brandenburg adverisement is April 18th.

March 6th 2007
A new service is reported to have popped up on NOW Coventry. Punjabi Radio reportedly replaces YaaRRadio, which has ceased.

March 4th 2007
A Secondary Component of BBC Radio 1 has popped up on BBC National DAB. Running in Packet Data mode, r1 test shares the same subchannel as BBC Guide and BBC Travel, running at a combined bitrate of 40 kbit/s.

March 4th 2007
Daytime Snapshot of DRg London updated.

March 1st 2007
According to an announcement from Digitaler Rundfunk in Sachsen-Anhalt, the bitrates of the audio services on both the L-band and Band III ensembles there have been reduced from 192 to the "more effective" 128 kbit/s. The announcement claims that for the radio listener, the change is "barely perceptible". According to Digital Radio Mitteldeutschlands, consideration can now be given to using the released capacity for additional services.

March 1st 2007
The Swiss public-service broadcaster SRG/SSR has increased the transmitted power level from Bantiger to the new ERP levels permitted under RRC06. The result is not only an improvement in the quality of reception, particularly indoors, in the existing reception area around Bern, but an enlargement in the area of outdoor reception.

March 1st 2007
Singapore DAB broadcaster SmartRadio is offering advertisers the use of the Dynamic Label Segment to broadcast paid messages, which appear as the scrolling text display on receivers.

February 28th 2007
Two new transmitters have been added to the Block 11D SFN in England and Wales, Digital1 Network. Esher improves coverage in the area southwest of Kingston Upon Thames. Shooters Hill improves coverage in the area south of Woolwich in London. Digital One has announced forthcoming sites to be commissioned:-

Braid Hills, south of Edinburgh

Stoke d'Abernon and Mt Vernon in London

Maidenhead in Berkshire

February 28th 2007
In accordance with the outcome of the frequency planning conference RRC06, the ensemble in the French-speaking region of Switzerland, SRG SSR / F, has migrated during the night from Block 12B to 12A. Simultaneously, the public-service broadcaster SRG/SSR has brought into service six new transmitters. La Dôle serves the region Nyon - Gland. Abbaye Pont Aguillons extends DAB coverage into the Vallée de Joux. Chardonne Mont-Pélerin extends coverage in Montreux, Morges and the surrounding area. Châteaux d'Oex serves the localities Château d'Oex and Rougemont. Charmey extends coverage into Charmey und Cerniatin Canton Fribourg. Sorens-Gibloux serves Neuchâtel und Bulle.
Of the existing transmitters in the Single Frequency Network, Genève-Studio, Chalavornaire und Fontanezier have had their transmitted power levels increased to the higher ERPs permited under the new frequency plan. The existing DAB site at Signal de Bougy is considered to be surplus to requirements and has ceased. A replacement site at Premier now covers the entire area between Yverdon and Lausanne. The new sites should be considered as being under test for the next few weeks with interruptions and periods of reduced power likely until entering full public service. Further transmitters will be added to the network shortly, particularly in the Fribourg region.

February 28th 2007
In Switzerland, the public-service broadcaster SRG/SSR has brought into service two new transmitters in the Italian-speaking region. Camedo Piazzoi extends coverage of the Block 12A ensemble SRG SSR I01 into the Centovalli as far as Intragna. Bedigliora Mt Mondini serves the Malcantone from Arosio to Sessa and improves coverage in Ponte Tresa and the surrounding area. The new sites should be considered as being under test for the next few weeks with interruptions and periods of reduced power likely until entering full public service.

February 25th 2007
On the Block 12C ensemble DAB Ireland Mux1, a number of test services are reported to have popped up. Service 5 and Service 7 are reported to be running at 128 kbit/s. Service 8 is reported to have been running at 96 kbit/s until Friday when it dropped to 80 kbit/s. The Service AM Simulcast is reported to have reappeared on Friday, running at 64 kbit/s. RTÉ RnaG DAB is running at the increased bitrate 128 kbit/s while RTÉ Lyric DAB has reduced its bitrate to 128 kbit/s. Since the new services are test transmissions, further reconfigurations are to be expected.
[NB: No 'Service 6' has been observed.]

February 24th 2007
On CE Birmingham, the Service XFM UK is reported to have been relabelled XFM MIDLANDS.

February 23rd 2007
On DRg London, the Service FUN radio is reported to have been relabelled FUN radio kids. It would appear that some receivers are having difficulty with the nightly reconfiguration, during which FUN radio kids ceases and Virgin Groove pops up. Some receivers appear not to be reporting the new service without a rescan.

February 23rd 2007
On NOW S&C and NOWDIGITAL KENT, the Service FUN radio is reported to have been relabelled Fun radio kids.

February 22nd 2007
Swiss public-service broadcaster SRG/SSR has brought into service a new transmitter in the Italian-speaking region. Brione Piee extends coverage of the Block 12A ensemble SRG SSR I01 to Brione, Frasco und Sonogno.

February 19th 2007
A new Service has popped up on the Block 12C Netherlands ensemble Publieke Omroep. Audio Test is reported to be running at 32 kbit/s and broadcasting traffic announcements in German (sic). To accomodate the newcomer, the Service Concertzender is reported to be running at the reduced bitrate of 128 kbit/s.

February 18th 2007
Big Bang en Suisse Romande! Public-service broadcaster SRG/SSR has announced that, in accordance with the outcome of RRC06, the ensemble SRG SSR / F will migrate from Block 12B to 12A during the night 27th/28th February, affecting the existing transmitters Genève-Studio (0.3kW), Signal de Bougy (0.4kW), Fontanezier (0.4kW) und Chalavornaire (0.25kW). Simultaneously, new transmitters will be brought into operation. The website UKWTV lists these to be as follows:-

Abbaye (Vallée de Joux)/Pont-Agouillons (0.676kW)

Chamossaire (0.427kW)

Charmey (0.05kW)

Château-d'Oex (1kW)

Fribourg-Cordast (0.1kW

Gibloux (1.5kW)

La Dôle (2.95kW)

Mont Pélérin (0.8kW)

Orvin (0.3kW)

Premier/Buclards (1.6kW)

February 18th 2007
The UK regulator Ofcom has advertised the local DAB franchise for Northeast Wales and West Cheshire. The ensemble will operate on Block 10D. The area of the licence includes the Unitary Authority areas of Flintshire/Sir y Fflint and Wrexham/Wrecsam, the western part of Cheshire including the districts of Chester and Ellesmere Port & Neston, the metropolitan borough of Wirral in the metropolitan county of Merseyside and some wards in the Unitary Authority area of Denbighshire. Capacity is reserved on the multiplex for BBC Radio Wales and BBC Radio Cymru, amounting to 256 kbit/s total. Closing date for applications is May 9th.

February 18th 2007
The official specification for the transmission within a DAB multiplex of services using the new additional audio codec AAC has been published as ETSI TS 102 563 V1.1.1 under the title of "Digital Audio Broadcasting (DAB);Transport of Advanced Audio Coding (AAC) audio". New receivers capable of receiving services with both the new and existing codecs are already in development. In Switzerland, the advertisement of capacity on the forthcoming second DAB multiplex for the German-speaking region had been made conditional on the new standard being formally accepted as an international standard.Download from the ETSI website...

February 18th 2007
The BBC is to trial the use of DRM on mediumwave frequencies. From the end of April, BBC Radio Devon will be broadcast using DRM on the existing frequency 855 kHz from the National Grid Wireless transmitter which serves the city of Plymouth. Once the year-long trials begin, listeners in the city who currently receive the broadcast on AM will need to retune to FM or DAB. (Wohnort adds: DRM receivers are available, but since this is officially a trial, the BBC is not recommending the purchase of a DRM receiver at this time.) The other mediumwave transmissions of BBC Radio Devon in Barnstaple, Exeter and Torbay will be unaffected.

February 18th 2007
The BBC has brought into service two new transmitters on Block 12B. Christchurch extends coverage of BBC National DAB in South Wales and the Severn Estuary. Sergeant's Law (aka Gleniffer Braes) improves coverage in West Glasgow and Dumbarton. Seven further transmitters have been announced and should enter service during the next few months: Puttocks Hill (Bury St. Edmunds), Stoke Holy Cross (Norwich and parts of east Norfolk), Burton Down (Arundel and the South Downs), Chatton (Alnwick and east Northumberland), Newhaven, Fishponds Hill (Mansfield) and Acklam Wold (York and the East Riding of Yorkshire). In addition, the BBC hopes to extend DAB to the Isle of Man in the summer, subject to planning permission and frequency coordination. UK TII table updated and corrected.

February 18th 2007
A new Service has popped up on the Block 12C Netherlands ensemble Publieke Omroep. Audio Test is reported to be running at 32 kbit/s and broadcasting traffic announcements in German (sic). To accomodate the newcomer, the Service Concertzender is reported to be running at the reduced bitrate of 128 kbit/s.

February 18th 2007
On the German DMB ensemble watcha, the Service Entertainment TV is reported to have been relabelled P7S1 Mobile.

February 18th 2007
Swiss regulator BAKOM has begun reviewing applications for the forthcoming second DAB ensemble in the German-speaing region. The process is expected to last until December at which time 8 out of the 18 applications for capacity should be recommended for licensing.

February 18th 2007
It has been announced that Italian public-service broadcaster RAI is to trial T-DMB with test transmissions set to begin in the summer.

February 18th 2007
The UK regulator Ofcom has published updated guidance on the changes to the licensing of Private Mobile Radio in Band III which will be required as a result of RRC06. The conference planned the future use of the Band for digital broadcasting, principally T-DAB, but allowed its use by other services subject to the T-DAB assignments being protected. The need to accomodate new T-DAB services in the UK and protect T-DAB allocations in neighbouring countries means that some frequencies used currently for Private Mobile Radio will need to be re-assigned. More...

February 18th 2007
A new Service has popped up on the Block LB ensemble Regio STUTTGART. Radio Aktiv-FM is reported to be running at 128 kbit/s in Joint Stereo.

February 18th 2007
WorldDMB (formerly the World DAB Forum) has announced that the new additional audio codec (AAC+/MPEG4) will be marketed as DAB+.

February 4th 2007
A new transmitter has been added to the Block 11D SFN in England and Wales, Digital1 Network. St. Johns Beacon improves coverage in Liverpool. UK TII table updated.

February 1st 2007
On the Block 12C ensemble CE London, the Service MAGIC is running at the increased bitrate of 160 kbit/s. The Service SMASH HITS! is running at the lower bitrate of 64 kbit/s. Snapshot updated.

February 1st 2007
On the Block 12A ensemble Switch London, the Services Virgin Xtreme and Heart are running at the increased bitrate of 160 kbit/s. Other Services appear to be unchanged. Snapshot updated.

January 27th 2007
On the Irish Block 12C ensemble DAB Ireland Mux1, the Service or Component AM Simulcast is reported to have reappeared.

January 27th 2007
Snapshot of the Block 9D Italian ensemble EuroDAB Italia updated. Since the last Snapshot was taken, the Stream Data service RTL 102.5 TV is running at the increased Protection Level 2. RTL 102.5 WORLD is running at the reduced bitrate 128 kbit/s. RTL102.5 CLASSIC is running at the reduced bitrate 112 kbit/s. The Services RMC DAB and 105 DAB have ceased.

January 27th 2007
Snapshot of the RAI national Italian ensemble updated. Since the last Snapshot was taken, the ensemble has been relabelled DAB RAI. Since the last Snapshot was taken, the Stream Data service RAI DATI has ceased. The Services RAI MF1, RAI MF2 and RAI MF3 are running at the reduced bitrate of 160 kbit/s each.

January 27th 2007
Snapshot of the Block 12A Südtirol ensemble updated. Since the last Snspahot was taken, the ensemble has been relabelled RAIRASDAB12A. A new Service has popped up. RAS RADIO OPERA was running at 160 kbit/s in Joint Stereo. The national RAI services have been relabelled RadIo1, RadIo2 and RadIo3 repectively (on this ensemble only - on the national RAI ensemble, the former labels continue). The packet data service has been relabelled RAS Pretio Data.

January 26th 2007
The UK regulator Ofcom has amended the advertisement for the Derbyshire local DAB franchise. A comparison of the original and revised texts reveals that the amended coverage area now includes the ward of Yoxall in the district borough of East Staffordshire.

January 23rd 2007
The UK publication "Radio Magazine" describes a simmering row involving DAB broadcaster Gaydar Radio in one corner, multiplex operator DRg in another and UK regulator Ofcom in the third. Gaydar is unhappy with the poor coverage it says is provided by the London III multiplex, alleging "extreme poor or intermittent reception". Ofcom is reported to suggest that remedial action is up to DRg, while DRg would like Ofcom to authorise an increase in transmitted power levels or a move to another frequency. The third London multiplex has a smaller coverage area than London 1 and London 2. Ofcom rejects a power increase on the grounds that the technical restrictions were known when the franchise was advertised.

wohnort comments: Missing from the Radio Magazine report is the fact that Gaydar, along with most of the other services on DRg London, is broadcast at Protection Level 4, which is in the lower range of robustness levels that the DAB system offers. Level 1 offers the most protection and Level 5 the least. The fact that the coverage of London 3 is known to be inferior to London 1 and London 2, the fact that nevertheless, most London 3 services are broadcast with less robustness than those on the other, stronger, multiplexes, and the fact that there is currently vacant capacity on London 3 (and London 2) all suggest that some other process is in play rather than technical performance alone.

January 20th 2007
The most recent observations and reports from Toronto reveal the sorry state of DAB in Canada. Wohnort does not normally use this space to make quality judgments, there being other areas of the internet where such discussion has almost turned into a blood sport. However, exceptional circumstances require a change in policy. As the following survey reveals, tautological Ensemble Labels aside, the CBC is an honourable exception to a sad state of affairs:-

CJYE Generally satisfactory - though skywave co-channel interference has occasionally been heard in the background at night, revealing the source to be.....

CJMR Satisfactory

CIRV Audio out of phase

CIAO Silent

CFMX Audio out of phase

January 19th 2007
Public-service broadcaster SRG/SSR has increased the transmitted power level from Üetliberg, resulting in improved indoor reception of SRG SSR - DRS in Zürich as well as an extension to the area of outdoor coverage. The main site serving Basel, St. Chrischona, has already been boosted, and the main site for Bern is expected to follow very soon, continuing a programme underway in Switzerland to raise transmission powers to the new post-GE06 levels designed to permit good indoor reception.

January 18th 2007
Snapshot of the L-band ensemble VDL PARIS updated. Since the last Snapshot was taken, the Services Paris Live Radio and Rock FM have ceased. Although not shown in the new morning Snapshot, the service France Maghreb is reported to be continuing to run during the afternoons.

January 18th 2007
A new Service has popped up on the Block 11C local ensemble ScoreGLASGOW. Chill is running at 128 kbit/s in Joint Stereo. The Service XFM UK has ceased. Snapshot updated.

January 18th 2007
A new Service has popped up on the Block 12D local ensemble ScoreEDINBURGH. Chill is running at 128 kbit/s in Joint Stereo. The Service XFM UK has ceased.

January 18th (3)
On the local ensemble EMAP Liverpool, the Service XFM UK is reported to have been replaced by XFM (different SId).

January 18th (3)
On the local ensemble EMAP C Lancs, the Service XFM UK is reported to have been replaced by XFM (different SId).

January 18th (3)
On the local ensemble EMAP Leeds, the Service XFM UK is reported to have been replaced by XFM (different SId).

January 17th 2007
In Ireland, the Block 12C ensemble RTÉ DAB Mux 1 has been relabelled DAB Ireland Mux1. The ensemble has a new EId (C102). Snapshot updated.

January 16th 2007
The UK regulator Ofcom has advertised the local DAB franchise for Derbyshire. The ensemble will run on Block 10B and cover (subject to frequency planning and transmitter siting constraints) the county of Derbyshire, including the Unitary Authority area of Derby, and parts of the East Staffordshire and Staffordshire Moorlands districts of Staffordshire, including Burton-upon-Trent. Capacity is reserved for the local BBC radio service BBC Radio Derby. The closing date for applications is April 16th 2007. Ofcom intends to announce a decision within four months of that date.

January 16th 2007
The UK regulator Ofcom has announced that it will consider applications to conduct test transmissions using the forthcoming new DRM+ standard in the frequency band 55 - 68 MHz. DRM+ is an extension to the existing DRM standard which is intended for use between 30 MHz and 120 MHz. The existing DRM standard is for use on frequencies below 30 MHz. In a response to the recent Ofcom consultation on the use of 55 - 68 MHz, the broadcaster WRN had proposed that frequencies in this band should be evaluated for use by local services. WRN has already conducted tests using DRM at 26 MHz but believes DRM+ in the higher frequency band would have the advantages of lower background radio noise, shorter transmission range (hence suitability for local services) and a greater penetration than 26 MHz into some modern buildings.

January 16th 2007
The French regulator, the Conseil Supérieur de l'Audiovisuel, has authorised two companies to conduct test transmissions using DAB+ (aka DAB v2) and DRM and DRM+. VDL is authorised to conduct Band III test transmissions in Paris using DAB+ (using the AAC+ codec) until February 13th, and using DRM in the 26 MHz band in Lyon and Valence until March 13th. TDF is authorised to conduct test transmissions in Rennes, first in DRM and then in DRM+ in Band I until September 12th.

January 15th 2007
A new Service has popped up on the Block 12A local ensemble Switch London. UCB UK CHRISTIAN is running at 96 kbit/s in Mono. Snapshot updated.

January 15th 2007
On the Block 11C ensemble Muenchen, the Service Gong Mobil DAB is reported to have resumed normal broadcasting following a period of silence.

January 15th 2007
On the Block LF Toronto ensemble - DAB Ensemble -, the packet data Service SRC_IP is reported to have ceased.

January 13th 2007
Snapshot of the Block 12D ensemble in Südtirol (Alto Adige) updated. Since the last Snapshot was taken, the ensemble has been relabelled RASDAB12D.

January 12th 2007
The most recent Technical Parameters spreadsheet from Ofcom reveals that further transmitters have been added to the Single Frequency Network operating on Block 11D in England and Wales and broadcasting Digital1 Network. Coppid Beach improves coverage in and around Bracknell. Four Ashes improves coverage in the area of High Wycombe. Morley improves reception in Leeds and along the Leeds stretch of the M62. UK TII table updated.

January 12th 2007
Snapshot of the Hungarian Block 13A ensemble DAB Budapest updated. The Service Labels contain accented charactars which may not display correctly on some receivers. Also, depending on the software implementation within some receivers, the PTys of the duplicated services have been seen not to display correctly.

January 12th 2007
Danish TII table revised and corrected.

January 11th 2007
On the Netherlands ensemble Publieke Omroep, the Service FunX-BNN has been relabelled FunX.

January 11th 2007
In Denmark, a new transmitter has been brought into service at Lynetten. This replaces the site Margretheholm, which has ceased. Danish TII table completely revised with many additions and alterations.

January 11th 2007
German TII table corrected.

January 11th 2007
The most recent Technical Parameters spreadsheet from Ofcom reveals that a new transmitter has been added to the Block 12A SFN broadcasting MXR WestMidlands. Samuel Vale House improves reception in Coventry. UK TII table updated.

January 10th 2007
Hong Kong's television broadcasters have opted to use the same digital television system as the mainland. China has chosen a home-grown system which they call DMB-T. Wohnort hopes it will become known as SAC, after the committee which selected it, or anything really that will distinguish it from the similar-sounding but completely different T-DMB which is in use in Korea and Germany. China selected SAC in September 2006 and it will become mandatory for digital TV from August 1st 2007. The Hong Kong broadcasters TVB and ATV have notified the Office of the Telecommunications Authority that they also wish to broadcast using the Chinese standard.

January 10th 2007
Vatican Radio intends to operate its own DAB multiplex. The news is revealed in a press release from Factum Electronics, who have been awarded the contract to supply coding and multiplexing equipment.

January 9th 2007
The gamble paid off! The Swiss regulator BAKOM has announced that 18 applications have been received to operate services on the forthcoming second ensemble for the German-speaking region, an increase on the 13 which had been received originally. Only one of the original 13 applications was withdrawn following the changes. The advertisement was originally due to expire on October 31st 2006. BAKOM then altered the terms, following the adoption by WorldDMB (formerly the World DAB Forum) of AAC+ as an alternative codec to MPEG 1 Layer II. BAKOM announced that it would more than double the number of available programme slots on the new mutliplex, but using the new AAC+ codec. The cost of carriage for each service awarded would decrease accordingly. A total of 13 applications had been received for the hitherto 3 available slots. Now, 8 programme slots are on offer. All applications had to be for services currently unavailable on FM in the reception area of the new ensemble. BAKOM also made the offer conditional on the new DAB standard being formalised by the European Telecommunications Standards Institute. BAKOM expects to award the franchises in the spring.

In addition, the public-service broadcaster SRG/SSR is entitled to capacity on the new ensemble on the basis of its own concession, and intends to operate two services. Unlike the commercial services, SRG/SSR has announced that these will be broadcast using the MPEG codec:-

SRG (Rolling News)

SRG (English-language service "World Radio Switzerland")

January 9th 2007
On the Block 11C ensemble ScoreGLASGOW, the Services Q96 (C886) has been relabelled 96.3 Rock Radio.

January 9th 2007
On the Block 12A Belgian ensemble VRT DAB, the Service Donna Tophits has been relabelled Donna hitbits.

January 9th 2007
A new Service has popped up on the Block 12B Belgian ensemble RTBF.DAB Radio. VivaBruxelles is running at 160 kbit/s. The Service VivaBruxelles has been relabelled VivaBruxelles. Another new Service, radio 7, has been seen, but without a selectable audio (MPEG) component. Further info awaited.

January 8th 2007
Swiss public-service broadcaster SRG/SSR has brought into service a new transmitter for the German-speaking region. Stalden, in Kanton Obwalden, extends coverage of SRG SSR - DRS into the region Sachseln, Kerns, Sarnen and Alpnach. The new transmitter will be under test for approximately four weeks and as such may be liable to interruptions, periods of reduced power or other odd effects prior to entering official public service.

January 8th 2007
On the Block 12C ensemble BAND III HESSEN, the Services harmony.fm and planet radio are broadcasting at the reduced bitrate of 96 kbit/s and are now in Mono.

January 8th 2007
On the Block 11C ensemble Muenchen, the Service Gong Mobil DAB is reported to have fallen silent.

January 6th 2007
In Germany, the Block LB ensemble Regensburg has ceased. The frequency is now being used to broadcast the DMB ensemble watcha. The change means that the two services of the national public-service broadcaster DeutschlandRadio, Deutschlandfunk and DKUTLUR are no longer available on DAB in Regensburg. However, a second Land-wide ensemble is planned for Bayern on Block 11D, which it is reported will include capacity for these services.

January 6th 2007
In Germany, the incoming ARD Chairman has proposed that its membership of regional public-service broadcasters should cooperate to produce joint programming for nationwide reception on DAB, though without competing with the national public-service broadcaster DeutschlandRadio. Fritz Raff said that merely replicating on DAB services already available on FM would not achieve the breakthrough for digital radio.

January 6th 2007
On the Block LG ensemble in Frankfurt am Main, LG FRANKFURT M., the Services SKY RADIO HESSEN and *NOVA*RADIO* have ceased.